Tonya Harding is expressing sorrow over the deaths of the individuals who lost their lives in the tragic collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and an army helicopter in Washington D.C.
The 54-year-old former figure skater turned to social media on Thursday, January 30 to convey her heartbreak about the dreadful accident. It is feared that over 60 people, including a minimum of 14 professional figure skaters from the US and other countries, may have perished.
“The tragic events that unfolded last night in Washington D.C. are incredibly heartbreaking 💔,” she shared on her Instagram account. “I have received information that members of the US figure skating team, as well as professional figure skaters from around the world and some family members, were among those on board.”
Harding concluded, “I’m sending my love and prayers to all the victims and their families.”
Harding is well known for her controversial history with former figure skating rival Nancy Kerrigan, who was assaulted in 1994 by a man hired by Harding’s ex-husband Jeff Gillooly. The controversy was later turned into the 2017 movie I, Tonya, in which Harding was portrayed by Margot Robbie.
Kerrigan also reacted to the Washington D.C plane crash on Thursday, January 30.
“[I’m] not sure how to process it, which is why I’m here. Many of you may know that my husband is my agent. He keeps getting calls to do interviews, and I thought that was weird,” Kerrigan, 55, tearfully said during a press conference held at the Skating Club of Boston rink. “I didn’t feel like it was right to be home and doing interviews for this … I think we all just need to go together. We just wanted to be here and be part of our community.”
She added,“I just feel for the athletes, the skaters, their families and anyone who was on that plane — not just the skaters because it’s just such a tragic event. We’ve been through tragedies before as Americans, as people and we are strong. So, my response is to be with people I care about and I love; I wanted to support. That’s why I’m here.”
The accident occurred when the flight collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter as it was attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Emergency officials have recovered 28 bodies as of Thursday, January 30, and there are not believed to be any survivors. The plane, American Airlines flight 5342, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew. The helicopter held three U.S. soldiers.
