Figure skating community mourns loss of fellow club members

NORWOOD, Mass. (WLNE) — Six of the victims who died on the American Airlines flight in Washington DC were members of the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood.

“Last night and into this morning we were informed of a pretty horrific tragedy,” CEO of the Skating Club of Boston Doug Zeghibe said.

13-year-old Jinna Han and 16-year-old Spencer Lane, along with their mothers Jin Han and Christine Lane, were among those killed.

The Lane Family hails from Barrington and the Han family lives in Mansfield.

The other two victims are Vadim Naumov and Evgeniua Shishkova who coached at the club.

This is a picture of a display at the Skating Club of Boston to honor the lives lost in the tragic plane crash in D.C. (WLNE).

“We’ve been through tragedies before as Americans, as people, and we are strong,” former Olympic figure skater and Massachusetts resident Nancy Kerrigan said. “And I guess it is how we respond to it.”

Members described the figure skating community as tight-knit and many spend most days of the week at the club.

“It’s heartbreaking to know that something like this can affect the community so much,” East Greenwich resident Patrick Blackwell said. “But I am so glad the community is coming together to acknowledge the passing of everyone; the skaters and their families.”

Blackwell and Lane did online schooling and figure skating together.

“I want Spencer to be remembered as the grateful and caring person he was,” Blackwell added. “Because that is what he was. He was enthusiastic, powerful, and he has such a bright future. I want him to be remembered for the kind person he was.”