It has been reported that a pair of world champion figure skaters were involved in the tragic Washington DC plane crash last night.
An American Airlines flight collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter at about 9pm local time on 29 January near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, with both crashing into the Potomac River.
The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the chopper had three soldiers on board. Nineteen bodies have reportedly been recovered so far, the BBC reports, while rescuers continue to search in freezing temperatures.
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As US Figure Skating confirmed several members of its skating community were on board the flight, state-run Russian news agency TASS named two former world champions as passengers.
The governing body for figure skating in the US confirmed that athletes, coaches and family members were on board as they returned from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
It added in a statement: "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available."
Ice skating coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov are said to have been among those skaters on board, according to Russian state media.
It is also said their son, Maxim, who is also a skater, may have been on the flight as well with his name listed on the event's site as a competitor. The married couple won the world championships in pairs figure skating back in 1994 and live in the US where they train young skaters.
TASS also said former skater for the Soviet Union, Inna Volyanskaya, was reportedly on board. She coaches at the Washington figure skating club.
Operating as American Airlines 5432, the PSA Airlines jet was set to touch down on Runway 33 at the airport when it collided with the military helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60.
Robert Isom, head of the American Airlines, said he was travelling to Washington DC with a special team to aid the investigation into the crash.
He said in a statement: "I know that there are many questions. At this early stage, I'll not be able to answer all of them, but I do want to share the information I have at this time."
The CEO added: "We are actively working with local, state and federal authorities on emergency response efforts, and the American Airlines care team has been activated to assist our passengers and their families.
"We're cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation, and we'll continue to provide all the information we can. Our cooperation is without pause, and we want to learn everything we can about today's events."
Isom expressed his 'deep sorrow' about the incident as he said the team 'of highly trained professionals will be working around the clock to support our passengers, crew and their families'.
Topics: American Airlines , US News, Russia, Sport
Jess Battison