Connecticut
CT Man — Father Of 3 Young Kids — Killed In DC Plane Crash
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SALEM, CT — Connecticut is mourning the death of Casey Crafton, of Salem, who was killed when an American Airlines passenger flight and a military helicopter crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night, according to a state official.
State Sen. Martha Marx announced on social media that Crafton was killed in the tragedy.
“The airline tragedy in Washington, D.C., last night has deeply impacted our Salem community. Casey Crafton—husband of Rachel and father to their three sons—was among the passengers on the American Airlines flight from Kansas that went down in the Potomac River. According to media reports and government sources, there are no survivors,” Marx wrote. “My heart goes out to the Crafton-Gadbois family during this unimaginable time. I ask our community to keep them in your prayers as they navigate this profound loss.”
The Salem CT Little League wrote “Our small town is heartbroken by a devastating tragedy involving one of our beloved Little League members. The Crafton family, deeply involved in all things Salem, has suffered an unimaginable loss. With heavy hearts, we share the news that Casey Crafton tragically passed away in the horrific airline crash in Washington DC. Please keep his family close to your hearts and in your prayers during this difficult time.”
The community has created a Meal Train page for the family, and more than $23,000 has been raised as of Thursday night. (You can view the page here).
A total of 67 people died in the crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. More than 40 bodies have been removed from the water as of late Thursday afternoon, CNN reported.
The American Airlines passenger flight and a UH-60 Black Hawk, with a crew of three, collided about 8:48 p.m. Wednesday night in clear weather conditions.
Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed that two former Russian figure skating stars from the 1990s who once worked at a Simsbury skating center and may have lived in the town were on board.
Both Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, Russian nationals who moved to Simsbury in the 1990s, are presumed dead after the crash.
The husband-and-wife team were champion pairs skaters in the 1990s, competing in both the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.
They failed to medal in the Olympics, but the couple did earn a bronze medal in the 1993 World Figure Skating Championships and won gold in the 1994 World Championships, the second-most prestigious competition behind the Olympics.
According to the Dec. 21, 2007 article on NewEngland.com, the couple turned professional in 1998 and, eventually, settled down in Simsbury to work at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in their new hometown.
Constructed in the mid-1990s, the ISCC put Simsbury on the map when 1994 Olympic gold medalist Oksana Baiul moved to Connecticut and trained there.
Patch editors Deb Belt and Michael Lemanski contributed to this story.
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Connecticut
Connecticut man dies in skiing accident in Utah
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A 53-year-old Canton man has died after a skiing accident in Utah over the weekend, according to police.
Unified Police of Greater Salt Lake in Utah identified the man as Daniel Negrelli.
He was an educator in Connecticut, according to the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Dan Negrelli, a beloved member of our school community. He was an exceptional educator and a cherished mentor, colleague, and friend. Dan made a lasting impact both in and out of the classroom, touching the lives of students and staff in countless ways. This is a tremendous loss for our school, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. Grief counselors will be available to support students and staff during this difficult time,” the school department said in a statement.
Unified Police of Greater Salt Lake in Utah said they received a call reporting that that someone had found an unresponsive person who appeared to have crashed into a tree at Solitude Mountain Resort on Saturday.
The ski patrol responded and could not save Negrelli.
Police said he was wearing a helmet and the proper gear.
Connecticut
Flower and Garden Show back in Hartford for the 43rd time
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For the 43rd year, plant lovers, garden enthusiasts and business owners gathered at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford for the Flower and Garden Show. This year’s theme was Signs of Spring.
“I am an enthusiastic outdoor garden and I’m very, very eager this winter to get dirty,” said Patti Veconi, who spends half her time in Chester and the other half in New York City. She says one perk of living in Connecticut is the space to garden.
Over 350 booths were set up at the Convention Center for people to shop, check out the unique displays and more.
“It’s great for the economy,” said show producer Kristie Gonsalves. “It’s great for the city. People are eating here and stay here at the hotels.”
Businesses such as Aqua Scapes of Connecticut from Portland say the show helps bring in more customers.
“Number on it gets your exposure,” said owner Rob Townsend. “Number two, it gets you business. It’s just, it’s really exhilarating.”
He’s says he’s attended the show for 25 years and has won several of the display contests.
“This brings excitement to people. That’s why I do what I do,” he said. “It’s really amazing.”
Organizers say they plan to bring the show back to Hartford for the 44th edition next year.
Connecticut
5 families displaced, several people injured in Hartford fire
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Five families were displaced by a fire in a multi-family home in Hartford on Saturday.
Firefighters responded to the fire at 45 Fenwick Street around 1:50 p.m.
They encountered heavy fire on the rear porches of the building. The fire had also spread to another building at 49-51 Fenwick Street, according to fire officials.
Firefighters rescued a person from the third floor who was in cardiac arrest, according to fire officials. That person was taken to the hospital and their condition is not immediately available.
Another adult and a child were also taken to the hospital, fire officials said.
A firefighter suffered minor burn injuries to the face and neck and was also transported to the hospital.
Fire officials said the building is a total loss.
The five families that were displaced from both buildings included 10 adults and nine children. The American Red Cross was brought in to help assist the families.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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