Nancy Kerrigan brought to tears by skaters' plane crash deaths

Figure skating icon Nancy Kerrigan broke down in tears Thursday after it was revealed that several members of U.S. Figure Skating were among the victims feared dead following an American Airlines collision with an Army helicopter late Wednesday night.

"I just wish them well, the families, and their courage and their strength to make the next steps. I don’t know, you look at people who go through tragedies, and you wonder how do they do it," Kerrigan said Thursday during a press conference at the Skating Club of Boston. "Each one of them are strong enough to get through this somehow. It will take time, but look beside you; there’s somebody that cares."

She added, "Tell people around you that you love them, because you just never know." 

Figure skating community reacts to DC plane crash

What they're saying:

Two-time U.S. Olympian Tonya Harding and many others in the figure skating community spoke out following the deadly plane crash.

RELATED: Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan: A look back at the infamous 1994 attack

Harding, who had joined X just one day earlier, posted a message in response to the "devastating" news.

Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan spoke after U.S. figure skaters were killed in a plane crash.

"The events that took place last night in Washington, DC are absolutely devastating," Harding’s post read. "I'm being told that several professional figure skaters were aboard the flight as well. Sending my love and prayers to all the victims and their families." 

Harding’s unlikely rise and eventual fall from grace has been widely publicized ever since the Nancy Kerrigan attack and infamous scandal unfolded in 1994.

RELATED: Tonya Harding: Where is she now?

U.S. Figure Skating also released a statement confirming that "several members of our skating community" were aboard the flight. The organization said they were returning home from a development camp being held after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, which concluded on Sunday. 

Legendary figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi also reacted on social media, writing, "My heart breaks for my skating community and all who are involved in the plane crash. Too much is still unknown, Sending love and prayers." 

Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano also spoke out, writing, "My heart breaks for my skating family today and my thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by this horrible tragedy. At a loss for words for my friends, Evgenia Shishkova & Vadim Naumov and their son Maxim." 

Olympic winner Scott Hamilton wrote on X, "there are no words."

He continued: "Nothing that can truly represent the devastation caused by the plane crash in Washington DC last night. A tragedy that claimed the lives of skaters, coaches, parents and officials. My heart is shattered for our skating community. Please pray for the families!"

DC plane crash

First responders recovered at least 28 bodies from the icy waters of the Potomac River on Thursday. Officials said there were 64 people on board the commercial flight, including four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.  

The American Airlines jet had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter. According to officials, the helicopter apparently flew into the flight path of the plane while it was landing at the airport.

RELATED: LIVE DC plane crash updates: Midair collision leaves no survivors

The crash triggered a major search-and-rescue operation in the icy Potomac River. Dozens of bodies were recovered from the waters during the overnight hours. The plane's fuselage was found upside down and broken into three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also located. 

If the casualty numbers hold, this incident could become the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.

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