Sean Kay and his skating partner Angela Yang died on the American Airlines flight with their coach Alexandr Kirsanov (pictured L-R: Angela, Alexandr, Sean) (Image: Instagram)
In a devastating turn of events, a Delaware man has been left to mourn the loss of his figure skater son and wife following the horrific plane crash in Washington, DC.
Eleven year old ice skating sensation Sean Kay and his mother Julia Kay, 42, were passengers on the doomed American Airlines flight that tragically collided with an Army Black Hawk on Wednesday night. Vitali Kay, father to Sean and husband to Julia, recounted the harrowing moment he sensed disaster to CBS: “The plane was supposed to land at nine, and I called my wife, and she didn’t pick up.”
Initially thinking her phone might still be on aeroplane mode, the lack of response soon filled him with dread.
Compelled by a foreboding feeling, Vitali made his way to Reagan National Airport where, after being allowed through a blocked road by a police officer, he encountered airport officials. “Everyone was sincerely worried,” he expressed, conveying the deep empathy he received from those around him.
“They deeply were feeling for you, they were understanding of what people might feel who has loved ones on the plane,” reports the Mirror US.
Two of the youngest victims of the deadly Washington, DC crash have been identified as an up-and-coming youth ice skating duo.Youth ice dance partners Angela Yang and Sean Kay (Image: Instagram)
Confronted with the likelihood that his son and wife perished in the accident, Vitali faced the excruciating duty of informing his other three children, aged seven to 14 and also ice skaters, of their tragic loss. “I had to deliver the news to them, right, and that was the phrase I used, ‘Hey, Julia would want you to do this, to skate,'” he shared with CBS, echoing the passion for ice skating that ran through the family.
In a heartfelt tragedy, 11 year old Sean, also affectionately known as Ilya, whose passions ranged from playing the guitar to thrilling rollercoaster rides, tragically passed away. According to a GoFundMe page set up by the family, “Ilya was one of the top ice dancers in the country for his age and dreamed of making it to the Olympic team,” reflecting the young boy’s aspirations before the heartbreaking accident that spurred the fundraising effort.
Vitali shared touching memories of when he first met his wife during their college years, painting her as a beacon of love and vitality: “She spent her days taking them to training, helping them fight for their dreams, and worked nights as a nurse to pay for ice time, costumes, travel, and coaches. She gave everything she had for their future,” stated the GoFundMe tribute dedicated to helping the bereaved family.
On the fateful night of Wednesday, near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, a devastating midair collision involving an American Airlines aircraft with 60 passengers and four crew onboard struck an Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three service members. By Saturday, additional reports emerged confirming all individuals aboard both aircraft had perished in the crash, which led to an extensive recovery operation in the Potomac River where authorities retrieved the remains of 42 people.
Amongst the victims mourned in this catastrophic accident were two promising young figures in the skating world – 16 year old Spencer Lane and 13 year old Jinna Han, who, alongside their mothers, were returning from a figure skating competition in Wichita, Kansas.
Among the victims of the tragic plane crash were Russian figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova, 53, and Vadim Naumov, 56. Fairfax County school officials confirmed that three students, six parents, and two staff members, all unidentified, were also killed in the accident.
Wendy Jo Shaffer, a mother of two and wife to Nate Shaffer, was another casualty. Nate paid tribute to his wife’s “unwavering spirit,” in a statement to PEOPLE Magazine.
Christine Lane of Rhode Island, who was accompanying her son Spencer to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, also perished in the crash. Kiah Duggins, a former Miss Kansas returning to Washington after visiting her mother in Wichita, was among the victims.
Inna Volyanskaya, 59, a famed Disney on Ice skater and actress, was confirmed dead as well. The former Soviet Union competitive skater had portrayed beloved Disney characters such as Princess Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, and Ariel, according to her coaching biography.
Countless tributes have been left for the victims of the crash (Image: Getty)
Emergency responders told NBC Washington that the aircraft tragically split into two upon colliding with the Blackhawk helicopter, with both vehicles submerged and the plane’s wreckage scattered. American Airline’s CEO Robert Isom expressed his deep “sorrow” for those lost in the accident and their grieving families, announcing plans to visit the crash site.
“First and most importantly, I’d like to express our deep sorrow about these events,” Isom stated in a video message addressing the tragedy. “This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones.”
Army officials have praised the helicopter crew for their vast experience and knowledge of the congested airspace around the capital.
Military helicopters regularly undertake such flights, practicing escape routes for top officials in the event of an assault or major calamity. The probe, spearheaded by the NTSB, is closely examining the conduct of both the military aviator and air traffic control.
Although comprehensive inquiries by the NTSB can extend beyond a year, there’s anticipation for swift conclusions. A preliminary report is anticipated within 30 days.