News: Three Ex-Islanders Killed in Russian Jet Crash
(Long Island, N.Y.) According to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, three former New York Islanders and members of a Russian hockey team were killed in a plane crash claiming forty-three lives. Many believe that this will be remembered as one of the most tragic air disasters in sports history. National Hockey League fans and players are in shock around the world after the crash in Yaroslavi, Russia.
The location is roughly one-hundred-and-fifty miles northeast of Moscow. Sources claimed that a Yak-42 aircraft crashed into the banks of the Volga River just after takeoff. The Ex-Islanders were members of the Kontinental Hockey League club named Lokomotiv.
According to sources, players from Lokomotiv’s main roster and four players from the youth team were on board. The crash claimed the lives of eight former National Hockey League players and a coach. Eight crew members were among those who perished.
The Kontinental Hockey League suspended all games for five days, postponing the start of their season. Reports stated that the league plans to rebuild the Lokomotiv team to be able to compete this season. The Kontinental Hockey League president is asking teams to volunteer three players to create a draft pool for the new team.
Lokomotiv also will promote a handful of youth team players. Sources claimed that there are about three team members from the league who would like to join the team immediately. As of early Friday, thirty-five bodies have been recovered from the site and reports stated that the recovery operation will continue throughout the night.
Two men survived the crash, have been listed in grave condition, and have been airlifted to a Moscow hospital for treatment. One sustained burns over ninety percent of his body and has not improved since arrival; burns over fifty percent are considered extremely life-threatening. The second survivor suffered burns of over fifteen percent and has a broken femur.
According to reports, the plane didn’t have enough speed or power to lift off around four in the afternoon, and clipped a runway beacon. Sources claimed that the plane crashed about a mile-and-a-half from takeoff. Investigators said that the crash could have been due to a pilot error or the result of mechanical failure.
Sources stated that the Yak-42 was first flown in 1975 and has been commercially available since 1980. Yak-42s, which are known as reliable aircrafts, have been grounded pending further investigation. Reports stated that the Russian president spoke about making changes to the country’s aviation industry, being that it has been criticized for cutting corners and putting cost ahead of safety. A memorial ceremony will be held at Yaroslavl’s arena to remember those whose lives were lost in the crash.
