The United States is still trying to recover from a terrible plane crash that happened recently, which is the worst we’ve seen in many years.
Sixty-seven people lost their lives in this tragic accident in D.C. on Wednesday night. Among the victims were sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, along with their parents, Donna and Peter.
The Livingston family was one of the many affected by this heartbreaking event.
Final post on social media
A news station in Pennsylvania called WTAJ has shared that Donna Smojice Livingston, her husband Peter, and their two daughters, Everly, who is 14, and Alydia, who is 11, were on American Airlines Flight 5342.
According to the Daily Mail, Everly and Alydia were skilled figure skaters and part of the Washington Figure Skating Club. They practiced at the Ashburn Ice House, which is a popular place for skaters in their Virginia community.
Just a few days before the tragic accident, their dad took a picture of the girls while they were in Kansas, capturing one of the many special moments related to their love for skating and life.
The sisters loved skating so much that it was more than just a hobby for them – they were famous on social media as the adored “Ice Skating Sisters.”
Just five days before the heartbreaking accident, they posted a picture on Instagram where they were all smiles in front of the ice rink during the championships, proudly showing off their ‘athlete’ lanyards.
“If you take a close look at Alydia’s badge… We were born ready for this,” the caption said. “But is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?”
Last year, 13-year-old Everly talked to FOX 5 DC about her successes on the ice, quickly becoming a star in the figure skating scene. In a heartfelt interview, she shared her feelings about the ups and downs of the sport and her dreams for the future.
“My goals are to actually be a part of Team USA and travel around the world,” she said, with a big smile on her face.
Family friend shares memory
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed several members of their community were on board the flight, and tributes quickly poured in. A growing memorial at the Ashburn Ice House reflects the deep impact of the tragedy.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected,” the Ashburn Ice House’s management shared in a statement. ”The figure skating community is a close-knit, worldwide family, and our hearts are broken.”
The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club shared their sadness on social media, saying, “Many of us have lost close friends. We will have a moment of silence at our next Club Ice to remember those we’ve lost.”
Cassandra Atkins, a family friend and designer from Australia, made special skating outfits for the girls through her business, Frozen Couture. Even though she never met the family face-to-face, she often chatted with Donna, sharing photos and videos of Everly and Alydia.
The girls’ mom, Donna, worked at Comcast, and their dad, Peter, was a real estate agent. They were known as super dedicated parents, managing the tough job of raising two skaters while spending many nights in hotels and traveling between New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia in the past few months.
“Donna was the perfect mom,” Atkins shared with WFLA. “The girls were her world. They loved bright, standout outfits and always brought so much joy to the ice.”
Atkins also revealed that even off the ice, the sisters couldn’t stay still.
”If they weren’t skating, they were roller skating—or they’d put wheels on their boots. They always found a way to move.”
Deadliest air disaster in 24 years
A tragic accident happened when an American Airlines flight crashed into a military Black Hawk helicopter during a training session. The commercial airplane was about to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport when it spiraled down into the Potomac River after the impact. This was the worst air disaster in the U.S. in almost 24 years.
Many of the people on the doomed flight were connected to the world of figure skating, including athletes, coaches, and their families, traveling from Kansas. The Skating Club of Boston has confirmed that six people lost their lives, among them Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were the World Champion pair skaters in 1994.
Ice rinks all over the East Coast are now in mourning for their skaters.
As investigators try to find out what caused the crash, communities across the country are grieving for Everly, Alydia, and many others whose lives ended too soon. Their lively spirits and passion for skating will always be remembered.
