Three members of the American family gospel group The Nelons are among seven people who died in a plane crash in Wyoming.
Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler, died Friday while taking a flight to perform on a cruise ship.
Nelon Kistler’s husband Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges and Larry and Melissa Haynie also died in the crash.
Autumn Nelon Streetman, Clark’s youngest daughter and the fourth member of the Georgia-based quartet, was not on the plane.
“Thank you for the prayers already extended to me, my husband Jamie and our soon-to-be-born baby, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” she said in a statement.
“We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the days ahead.”
The group was founded by Kelly Nelon Clark’s father, Rex Nelon, in the 1970s and was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016.
The Nelons were traveling to join Gaither’s homecoming cruise that was scheduled to sail from Seattle on Saturday before crossing Puget Sound.
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A statement from Gaither Music Group, the sponsor of the cruise featuring gospel singers and groups, said: “The Nelons, one of America’s most beloved gospel music families, were involved in a tragic and fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on his way to join Gaither’s cruise home to Alaska.”
He added: “Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle and were notified of the accident.
“They were taken to the hotel where the artists gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and hold them in their grief, promising to support them in any need that arises.”
The Campbell County Facebook page said the accident occurred around 1:00 p.m., north of the city of Gillette, and sparked a brush fire.
A spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board said its team will be on scene Saturday, and preliminary reports say the Pilatus PC-12/47E plane crashed after an “autopilot issue.”
“The aircraft is in a remote location and once they have access, they will begin documenting the scene, examining the aircraft,” he said.
“The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the accident, and the end of the investigation may take one to two years to determine the “probable cause of the accident.”
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