A man tragically lost his wife and daughter after American Airlines flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday, January 29, over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Andy Beyer was in shock and heartbroken after finding out that both his wife Justyna and his daughter Brielle, who survived cancer when she was only 4 months old, died.
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Beyer talked about the tragedy with ABC News. Similar to other victims, Brielle was one of the young skaters who tragically died in the collision. He revealed to the outlet that Brielle fought and beat cancer as a 4-month-old. Both Brielle and her mother, Justyina, were returning from Wichita, Kansas, after attending the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp, according to PEOPLE.
"She was just such a fighter in everything she did," Beyer said about Brielle. "She just lived life to the fullest with everything." Beyer then talked about Brielle's discipline and determination as a figure skater. "She was so proud of herself in figure skating for the progress she had made," he said. "Making that team was one of her life goals. And she achieved it. And she was just so, so proud of herself."
Tragic News
Andy Beyer then recalled how he found out about the tragic collision. At the time, he was going to pick up both Justyna and Briella from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. His 6-year-old son was accompanying him.
"When it was time for the plane to land, they hadn't landed [and] we couldn't get text messages through," Beyers said. Soon, he saw how emergency responders were assisting the collision, and he, unfortunately, found out that his wife and daughter were aboard the plane that crashed.
"I didn't have a lot of hope unfortunately, we had a good cry about it right then and there and then we had to go in with the family waiting room and everything before we, hours later, got any official word of what had fully happened," Beyer said.
Following the tragic family loss, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Andy and his son, raising short of 40 thousand dollars.
"Their absence leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of family and friends, and we are reaching out to our community for support during this incredibly difficult time.," the GoFundMe reads. "Brielle was a bright light, carried a charming smile, and was known for her endless commitment to achieving goals." They would also say that Justyina "exhibited unconditional love and support towards her two children and loving husband."
There were 60 passengers and four crew members onboard American Airlines flight 5342. Three soldiers were inside the Black Hawk helicopter. It has been reported that there are no survivors.
