Heartbreaking Testimony from Natalya Gudin: A Wife’s Grief After the Fatal DC Air Crash Involving Her Husband
In a powerful emotional statement, figure skating coach Natalya Gudin has bravely shared her feelings following the tragic accident that claimed the lives of her beloved husband, Alexandr ?Sasha? Kirsanov, along with two of their promising young students. This heart-wrenching event has sent shockwaves through the skating community, highlighting the profound impact of unexpected tragedies on families and loved ones.
On the fateful evening of Wednesday, an American Airlines regional jet collided mid-air with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The ill-fated American Eagle Flight 5342 was en route from Wichita, Kansas to DCA, carrying 64 individuals, including several US figure skaters, while the military aircraft had three soldiers aboard. This devastating incident raises questions about aviation safety and the importance of stringent air traffic regulations.
As of this moment, at least 40 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of both the aircraft and the helicopter. Unfortunately, the DC Fire and EMS Chief has stated that officials ?do not believe there are survivors.? This heartbreaking confirmation underscores the gravity of the situation and the profound loss experienced by families and friends of the victims.
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During an emotional interview with ABC News, Gudin bravely opened up about the tragic loss she has endured and the profound impact it has had on her life.
?I lost everything. I lost my husband. I lost my students. I lost my friends,? she expressed, her voice filled with grief and sorrow.
Gudin and Kirsanov were dedicated coaches for aspiring figure skaters in Delaware. She shared how they had made the decision for Kirsanov to travel with their two young students, Sean Kay and Angela Yang, to the National Development Camp in Wichita, illustrating the importance of mentorship in sports.
?We are husband and wife,? she recalled. ?We determined who was going and who was staying home. We decided he would go to the event camp.? This decision, made with love and care, now holds deep emotional weight in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Gudin revealed that she spoke to her husband on Wednesday afternoon while he was at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, preparing to board American Airlines Flight 5342 to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia. Their last conversation was filled with anticipation and excitement.
?It?s time for boarding,? Gudin recalled him saying during their phone call, adding that they had planned to speak again once he landed safely. This moment now stands as a poignant reminder of their love.
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However, after that call, Gudin did not hear from her husband again. It wasn?t until she received a distressing message from a mother whose child was also on the same flight that the horrific truth about the flight-helicopter collision began to unfold. She immediately told the woman they needed to ?go to DC? to understand the situation better.
Now, in the wake of her husband?s presumed death, along with the other 63 passengers, Gudin is staying at a hotel in Virginia anxiously awaiting the recovery of Kirsanov?s body from the crash site. This waiting period is excruciating, filled with uncertainty and despair.
?I want my husband back,? Gudin told ABC News, her words echoing the desolation and longing that many feel in the face of such irreparable loss. ?I want his body back.?
Meanwhile, in an emotional interview with Delaware Online, Gudin broke down in tears as she reflected on the tragic losses of her husband, Kay, and Yang, describing it as a ?triple? loss that has left her heart shattered.
?This young team ? Sean Kay and Angela Yang ? they were so incredible,? she shared through her tears. ?All of the judges were so proud of them, and they had such a bright future ahead. And now, all on the same flight?? This sentiment captures the tragedy not just of personal loss but also the loss to the future of figure skating.
According to Golden Skate, there were 17 members from the figure skating community ? including athletes, coaches, and family members ? on board the American Airlines flight, amplifying the tragedy’s impact on a close-knit community.
The US Figure Skating issued a statement on Wednesday morning, confirming that ?several members? of the community, returning from the figure skating camp in Wichita, had tragically lost their lives in this horrific accident.
?We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the families of the victims closely in our hearts,? the organization stated. ?We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.? This statement highlights the broader ramifications of the tragedy within the sports community.
Discover how the figure skating community is responding to the crash, here.
