Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Young Figure Skater and Family

A Delaware man is mourning the loss of his figure skater son and wife following a horrific plane crash in Washington, DC. Eleven-year-old ice skating sensation Sean Kay and his mother Julia Kay, 42, were passengers on the doomed American Airlines flight that tragically collided with an Army Black Hawk on Wednesday night.

"The plane was supposed to land at nine, and I called my wife, and she didn't pick up." Initially thinking her phone might still be on airplane mode, the lack of response soon filled him with dread. Compelled by a foreboding feeling, Vitali made his way to Reagan National Airport where, after being allowed through a blocked road by a police officer, he encountered airport officials. "Everyone was sincerely worried," he expressed, conveying the deep empathy he received from those around him. "They deeply were feeling for you, they were understanding of what people might feel who has loved ones on the plane," reports the Mirror US.

Confronted with the likelihood that his son and wife perished in the accident, Vitali faced the excruciating duty of informing his other three children, aged seven to 14 and also ice skaters, of their tragic loss. "I had to deliver the news to them, right, and that was the phrase I used, 'Hey, Julia would want you to do this, to skate,'" he shared with CBS, echoing the passion for ice skating that ran through the family.

In a heartfelt tragedy, 11-year-old Sean, also affectionately known as Ilya, whose passions ranged from playing the guitar to thrilling rollercoaster rides, tragically passed away. According to a GoFundMe page set up by the family, "Ilya was one of the top ice dancers in the country for his age and dreamed of making it to the Olympic team," reflecting the young boy's aspirations before the heartbreaking accident that spurred the fundraising effort.

"She spent her days taking them to training, helping them fight for their dreams, and worked nights as a nurse to pay for ice time, costumes, travel, and coaches. She gave everything she had for their future," stated the GoFundMe tribute dedicated to helping the bereaved family.