20 victims of tragic DC midair collision identified

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — At least 20 victims of the Washington, DC midair collision are now identified.

The latest, a civil rights attorney and incoming professor at Howard University.

Many others were part of the US figure skating community with ties to New England, including a mother and son from Barrington.

Some of their families and friends are now speaking about their loved ones, gone too soon.

At least 14 people were returning from an elite figure-skating camp on the flight that crashed near Reagan National Airport .

Six of the victims had ties to southern New England.

Skating Club of Boston members Jeena Han and her mom, Tin, Barrington resident and skater Spencer Lane and his mom Christine and coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgeniua Shishkova were all aboard the American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas.

Nancy Kerrigan, former Olympic figure skater and skating club of Boston alum, spoke on how this tragedy impacts the tight-knit community.

“I am not sure how to process it,” said Kerrigan.

“We’ve been through tragedies before as Americans, as people, and we are strong, and I guess it is how we respond to it.”

Barrington resident, 16-year-old Spencer Lane was a figure skating star in his community who just qualified for the national development camp in November.

Spencer’s father, Doug Lane is now mourning the loss of his wife and son, speaking highly of Spencer’s talent as a figure skater.

“The best way I can describe him is, he was a force of nature, he just had amazing athletic abilities,” said Lane.

Spencer’s father said he is grateful that his son’s last week was filled with joy doing what he loved.