A small plane carrying members of the Amarillo Pickleball Club of Amarillo was on its way to a game when it crashed in Wimberley, southwest of Austin, around 11 p.m. Thursday, officials said.
All five people on the plane were pronounced dead at the scene, said Sergeant Billy Ray of the Texas Department of Transportation.
The Amarillo Pickleball Club confirmed that Seren Wilson, Brooke Skypala, Stacy Hedrick, Glen Appling and Hayden Dillard were killed in the accident.
“Today the club received terrible news that we must all mourn together – we have lost five members of our Amarillo pickleball family,” the club said in a statement.
“Please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers.”
The AHS Tennis Booster Club honored Seren Wilson, a former Amarillo High School student and member of the tennis program, whose death deeply shook the community.
“She was a constant supporter of our tennis program and a person who invested heavily in the players,” the release said. “Seren loved sincerely and strongly, and her spirit, support and energy will be missed by many.”
Officials said the initial investigation showed the plane was “flying at high speed at the time of impact” and caught fire after the crash. They added that there was “no indication of a mid-air collision”.
Shocking aerial footage shows the extent of the disaster – the plane was completely destroyed and turned into a wreck.
Nearby residents reported hearing a loud crash and feeling the ground shake. “It was so close that I thought my house was on fire,” said one of the residents.
Flight records show that the Cessna plane was en route to New Braunfels National Airport, where another plane was flying at the same time, which landed safely.
A tournament scheduled for Friday at Cranky Pickle was canceled after the tragedy.
“We are all deeply shaken and heartbroken,” said Martin Robertson, head coach. “The pickleball community is very close-knit – everyone knows each other.”
(Vijesti.ba)
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