Tragedy Strikes: Syracuse University Graduate and Son Among 67 Killed in Plane Crash
A Devastating Loss for the Lane Family
Christine Lane, a 1997 graduate of Syracuse University, and her 16-year-old son, Spencer, were among the 67 people who lost their lives when a regional jet crashed with a military helicopter over Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, January 29.
A Life Cut Short
Spencer was a talented figure skater and part of the Skating Club of Boston. He was returning from the National Development Camp, which took place after the U.S. figure skating championships in Kansas, when the tragic accident occurred.
A Family’s Heartbreak
Christine and her husband, Douglas, had adopted their two sons, Spencer and Milo, from South Korea. Douglas described Christine as a “beautiful, creative person” who was a loving mother to their sons. He also praised Spencer’s natural talent and work ethic, saying he was a “phenom” at figure skating.
A Family’s Statement
In a statement, Douglas Lane remembered Christine as a creative and caring person who brought joy to those around her. He also described Spencer as a “force of nature” who loved figure skating and had a remarkable journey in the sport.
“Our family is devastated by the loss of Christine and Spencer. Christine exuded creativity throughout her life, using her formal graphic design training as a jumping-off point for seemingly endless creative pursuits across areas such as photography, quilting, knitting, and more. She brought even greater passion to her role as a mother to Spencer and his brother Milo. She was also a lover of animals, and we lost track of how many dogs she helped place in loving adoptive homes.
Spencer can only be described as a force of nature. You simply could not stop him if he decided he wanted to do something. There is no better example of this than his remarkable skating journey, which we are heartbroken to see end too soon. He truly loved it, and his ascent from basic Learn to Skate classes to U.S. Figure Skating’s National Development Team in just a few short years was unprecedented. We are so grateful that his last week was filled with joy and surrounded by his beloved Skating Club of Boston and the U.S. Figure Skating family.
We are also hurting so much from the loss of Spencer’s talented and kind coaches, Genia and Vadim, and all of the wonderful friends Christine and Spencer were sharing their journey with.
Conclusion
The Lane family’s loss is a devastating reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Lane family and all those affected by this tragedy.
FAQs
Q: Where did Christine Lane graduate from?
A: Christine Lane graduated from Syracuse University in 1997.
Q: What was Spencer Lane’s passion?
A: Spencer Lane was a talented figure skater and part of the Skating Club of Boston.
Q: Where were Christine and Spencer Lane headed when the accident occurred?
A: Christine and Spencer Lane were returning from the National Development Camp in Kansas when the accident occurred.
Q: How many people were killed in the accident?
A: 67 people were killed in the accident.
