D.C. Plane Crash: Former skater remembers 1961 crash that killed U.S. team

A number of figure skaters, their coaches, and family members were among the passengers on the American Airlines flight. The team had just returned from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, which took place after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

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    The figure skating community is shaken after a tragic plane crash in D.C.
    
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    Corinne Martin, who was a figure skater, remembered another deadly plane crash that killed the U.S. Figure Skating Team.
    
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    She still remains hopeful as she listens for more details coming out of D.C.
    

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  The figure skating community is shaken after a tragic plane crash in D.C.
  
• 
  Corinne Martin, who was a figure skater, remembered another deadly plane crash that killed the U.S. Figure Skating Team.
  
• 
  She still remains hopeful as she listens for more details coming out of D.C.
  

DETROIT (FOX 2):Many people nationwide saw a terrible and startling moment when a jet struck a helicopter over the Potomac River close to Washington, D.C.

We know:

A number of figure skaters, their coaches, and family members were among the passengers on the American Airlines flight. The team had just returned from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, which took place after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Local viewpoint:

After learning that her instructor and Olympic figure skating peers were murdered in a plane crash in 1961 while traveling to the World Championships, Corinne Martin, who began figure skating at the age of two, experienced loss and profound sadness for the first time after four years of competition.

“The Olympic team was scheduled to travel to Europe for the Olympics the night before the training. At the Detroit Skating Club, we went skating. To the song “Que Sera,” I skated. Naturally, it was exciting for my mother, who made the costume,” she remarked.

Then a thrilling evening descended into tragedy. The U.S. Figure Skating Team and Corinne’s coach were two of the 72 travelers who perished on route to Prague.

“My parents had to tell me that my coach had been killed in a plane crash along with all of the young people that we knew who trained for the Olympics,” she recalled.

She claims that over time, the loss strengthened her resolve to compete and survive, making her more competitive.

Unfortunately, after hearing of the tragedy in D.C. on Wednesday, she was confronted with painful memories once more. Those memories of loss and anguish were brought on by the terrible tragedy.

“It just brought me to tears because it just words can t describe it,” she stated. “Such a haunting thing that this has happened twice to the United States Figure Skating Team in 64 years.”

Next steps:

As she waits for additional information from D.C., she continues to have hope.

“Any tragic loss of life is always sad, and it always brings people together, and I think that this will once again bring the figure skating community together,” she stated.

She thinks everything will work out for the figure skating community.

At Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society, the former figure skating professional serves as executive director.

The Source: Information from earlier stories and an interview with Corinne Martin were used by FOX 2.

Highlighted

As of Thursday morning, officials reported that hundreds of responders had pulled at least 28 remains from the freezing waters of the Potomac River following a fatal jet crash.