Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan broke down in tears over the tragic plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involving an Army helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 on Wednesday night.
Speaking to reporters outside the Skating Club of Boston, as an alumna member of the club, Kerrigan joined with fellow members and opened up about trying to process the loss following news that six of the victims — two teenage figure skaters, two coaches, and their mothers — who were killed in the plane crash, were from the Boston club, WCVB reported.
“Not sure how to process it,” Kerrigan said through the tears. “Which is why I’m here. I just wanted to be here and be part of our community.”
“Tell people around you that you love them because you just never know”: Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan speaks on Wednesday’s deadly plane crash that had U.S. figure skaters and coaches on board. More: https://t.co/jKvgbJe2Xj #NewsNationNow pic.twitter.com/4czJK12gp1
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) January 30, 2025
“And then when you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it’s an even bigger blow,” she added. “We just wish them well, the families, the courage and the strength to make the next steps.”
“I just feel for the athletes, the skaters and their families … anyone that was on that plane, not just the skaters, because it’s just such a tragic event and we’ve been through tragedies before as Americans, as people, and we are strong,” Kerrigan continued. “Even when it’s hard, you get back up. Even when you’re crying, hurt, pain, you get back up and move forward. It’s not easy. But that’s what we all have to do now together.”
U.S. Figure Skating announced that there were “several” athletes and coaches aboard the passenger flight when it crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with the helicopter on Wednesday night, as previously reported. The organization provided a statement to news outlet WUSA9 on Thursday morning.
“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.,” the statement read. “These athletes, coaches and family members were returning home from National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.”
On Thursday morning, D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly said that rescue efforts were now switching to recovery efforts with no survivors expected in Wednesday night’s crash, as previously reported. He said first responders had already recovered the bodies of 27 of the 64 people onboard the passenger plane and one body from the Black Hawk helicopter.
“We wish we were gathering for different purposes today,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a press conference. “We will not rest until we have answers for the families and for the flying public. You should be assured that when you fly you are safe.”
Amanda Harding contributed to this piece.
Related: First Lady Melania Trump Issues Statement Following Tragic Plane Crash
