Authorities confirmed the passenger jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with the Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers onboard. As of Thursday afternoon, officials said at least 40 victims have been recovered from the plane, along with three from the helicopter. The District Office of Medical Examiner has been on reuniting these bodies with their loved ones, and we will continue to work and reunite them.
The U. Figure Skating team confirmed that several figure skating athletes and their coaches were among the passengers. The team said the athletes were flying back home from the National Development Camp held in Wichita, Kansas.
The University of Delaware also confirmed the death of Alexandr "Sasha" Kirsanov, a coach of two of the youth ice skaters who were on the flight. Kirsanov was also a member of the Black Bear Sports Group.
Sasha, a beloved member of our Maryland rink, Ice World, was traveling back from a developmental camp in Wichita, along with other skaters who practice regularly at our facility.
It is hard to grasp the enormity of this devastating loss. In his many years with Ice World, Sasha coached, mentored, and made such an incredible impact not only on our young skaters but on so many who knew and loved him.
