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‘I’ve known them for years’ – Local reaction to plane crash carrying ice skaters

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Fourteen figure skaters are among the victims onboard the American Airlines flight that collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, officials say, crashing into the Potomac River on Wednesday. The first major plane crash in the U.S. since 2009.

This news sending shockwaves across the ice-skating community, including here at home at Acrisure Arena.

Jeff Crandell, a local figure skating coach and former competitive figure skater, had a personal connection with two coaches on board that flight -- Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.

“Vadim and Evgenia, I’ve known them for years. They have coached in the US for many years. They were world pair champions. Wonderful people, friendliest coaches.” 

Jeff Crandell, figure skating coach

Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova
(Credit The Skating Club of Boston)

Despite this tragedy, retired American figure skater Dorothy Hamill says past struggles have proven that the ice skating community is a resilient one.

“It brings back memories of the 1961 plane crash, when our entire world team was on the way to the world championship and they passed and died... The skating community although it’s small is mighty.”

Dorothy Hamill, world Olympic champion

Crandell says part of that recovery begins with local support.

“Come and show up at the rink, show support, come skate, take lessons, do all that stuff to continue our sport forward.”

Jeff Crandell, figure skating coach

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Luis Avila

Luis Avila joined KESQ News Channel 3 as a multimedia journalist in June 2024. Learn more about Luis here.

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