Ohio is grieving today for two lives lost at an air show after a plane crashed, killing the pilot and a stunt-walker.
Dayton International Airport spokeswoman Linda Hughes and Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Anne Ralston confirmed the deaths but didn’t immediately release the names of the victims. However, the Facebook page of the wing-walker, Jane Wicker, was later updated to confirm she had perished in the tragic accident.
“It is with sad hearts that we announce that Jane Wicker and Charlie Schwenker were tragically killed while performing at the Vectren Dayton Airshow,” a statement on the official Facebook page for Jane Wicker Airshows. “We ask for your prayers for the families and privacy of all involved and allow them time to grieve and work through these events.”
Authorities haven’t said whether they know the cause of the crash yet, but spectator Shawn Warwick of New Knoxville, told the Dayton Daily News that he was watching the flight through binoculars and couldn’t believe what he saw.
“I noticed it was upside-down really close to the ground. She was sitting on the bottom of the plane,” he said. “I saw it just go right into the ground and explode.”
Wicker’s signature move was hanging from the plane’s wing by her feet and sitting on the bottom of the airplane while it’s upside-down.
“I’m never nervous or scared because I know if I do everything as I usually do, everything’s going to be just fine,” she said earlier this week.
No spectators were harmed in the accident; the show was canceled for the rest of the day.
Warning: Graphic video