Several figure skaters were onboard the American Airlines flight that collided with a Blackhawk military helicopter over Washington, DC, Wednesday evening.
U.S.Figure Skating explained in a statement that many “athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.”
The organization wrote, “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”
The statement concluded, “We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”
It remains unclear how many figure skaters were aboard the flight, which included 60 passengers and four crew members, and U.S. Figure Skating has not confirmed any victims’ identities.
A young athlete named Spencer Lane has specifically sparked concern, according to Newsweek, after he posted a photo via Instagram Stories before the plane took off from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Ronald Reagan National Airport.
“ICT [to] DCA,” he captioned the eerie social media upload.
He also gushed about the training camp, posting a roundup of photos and calling it his “goal almost ever since [he] became aware that it was a thing.”
Lane wrote, “I learned so much new information that i can apply to my everyday life, and met so many amazing people!
“Thank you @usfigureskating and the local organizing committee for making everything happen,” he continued. “And lastly, huge thank you to all the amazing friends, coaches, and faculty that i have met over the last week, it was such an amazing experience.”
Russian championship couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also onboard, according to Russian state news agencies.
While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not mention the duo by name, he addressed the “bad news from Washington today” in a press conference (via NBC News).
“We grieve and console with the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in this plane crash,” he said. “Sad news is being confirmed.”
The TikTok stars also posted about the camp via Instagram while supporting son Maxim Naumov, praising his “beautiful and emotional performance.”
They wrote, “Once again, Maxim made us all proud, getting on to the podium at Nationals after 7th place in the short.”
More than 30 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River following the crash.
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