FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – Three Fairfax County Public School students and six parents were among those killed in the tragic airplane crash near Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night.
The devastating midair collision occurred shortly before 9 p.m. when a passenger jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter collided, crashing into the Potomac River and resulting in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Authorities reported that at least 28 bodies were pulled from the frigid waters of the Potomac River in what has been described as the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in almost a quarter century.
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The American Airlines regional jet reportedly carried teen figure skaters returning from a national meet with their mothers and coaches, an Ohio college student, two Chinese nationals and a group of hunters from Wichita, Kansas.
On Thursday, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid announced that three of their students and six of their parents were lost in the incident, stating that two of the parents were current or former FCPS staff members.
Reid expressed deep sorrow, calling it a massive loss for the community and beyond. She said now is the time to show empathy and compassion to everyone involved.
“Many are reaching out to share their sorrow and emotions at this difficult time,” she said. “We are hearing from students, staff members, and others in the community who are expressing their care and concern for those who have lost loved ones. I invite you to join me in keeping all those affected by this deep community loss in our prayers.”
She assured that the school will provide the necessary support for those in the Fairfax County Public School community and directed parents and guardians to this resource to help students cope.
“We will continue to keep you updated as we are able. I speak for all of us at FCPS as we offer our condolences to everyone involved in this heartbreaking tragedy. It is a time to hold one another closer,” Reid said.
You can read Reid’s entire statement below:
Hello Team FCPS,
We are devastated by the tragic news as we learn members of our FCPS community have lost their lives in the accident last night at Reagan National Airport.
Many are reaching out to share their sorrow and emotions at this difficult time. We are hearing from students, staff members, and others in the community who are expressing their care and concern for those who have lost loved ones. I invite you to join me in keeping all those affected by this deep community loss in our prayers.
We have more details that we can now share. Many on the flight were returning from a figure skating event in Wichita, Kansas. What we know at this time is that three of our FCPS students and six of our FCPS parents were lost, affecting multiple schools and departments here at FCPS. Two of the parents were current or former FCPS staff members. Multiplying the grief are the siblings, spouses, relatives, friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones.
We must remain sensitive to the privacy needs and concerns for those who are directly involved. Therefore, we are not releasing specific information such as names out of care for those who are directly involved at this time.
We know many in our FCPS community are now learning this tragic news and understanding the enormity of our loss. We have resources available to support students, staff, and families. I want to specifically recognize our principals, teachers, counselors, and other crisis teams who are responding to the needs of our students, families, and staff during this most difficult time. We also continue to be thankful for our first responders and community partners.
Our team is standing by and ready to provide necessary support for everyone in our FCPS community. In addition, this resource may assist you in having difficult conversations with your children.
We will continue to keep you updated as we are able. I speak for all of us at FCPS as we offer our condolences to everyone involved in this heartbreaking tragedy.
It is a time to hold one another closer…
Dr. Michelle C. Reid Superintendent
Loudon County Public Schools also says multiple victims of the collision were former students.
“Our hearts are heavy as we process the devastating news of last night’s tragic plane crash over the Potomac River involving an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter,” said Loudon County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence. “This unimaginable loss has deeply affected our community, and with great sorrow, we have learned that multiple victims were former LCPS students.”