The final performance of two child figure skaters who died in the horrifying Washington DC plane crash has drawn devastated reactions online.
Angela Yang and Sean Kay were onboard the American Airlines flight headed from Wichita, Kansas to DC when an Army Black Hawk slammed into the passenger jet over the Potomac River on Wednesday evening.
They were heading home from the US Figure Skating Championships and National Development Camp with their coach Alexandr Kirsanov.
In the days after the tragedy, viewers who have seen the clip have been gushing over the youth ice skating duo’s routine out on the ice.
The video shows Angela and Sean enthusiastically skating along to an upbeat tune, executing elaborate spins and tricks on there skates at a November 2024 competition in Plano, Texas.
At the end of the video, the pair was seen sitting with their coach and holding stuffed animals while they listened to their ranking being read over the loud speaker.
Once they learned of their high standing in the 2025 Midwestern Sectional Singles & U.S. Ice Dance competition, Sean and Angela wore gleaming smiles has they fist bumped each other.
Youth ice dance partners Angela Yang and Sean Kay were on the fateful flight
The duo won first place in several categories in the 2025 Midwestern Sectional Singles & U.S. Ice Dance in Plano, Texas, in November
For many viewers, this clip has been a heartbreaking reminder of the gut-wrenching tragedy that took 67 lives.
‘They had so much life ahead of them,’ Co-Owner of Trending Politics Collin Rugg wrote on X.
‘Rest Easy, beautiful babies. I will keep your loved ones in my prayers ,’ another user chimed in.
‘So much promise, talent, and dedication. May they rest in peace after this horrific accident. Deepest condolences to their families,’ one man said.
Thousands of comments echoed the heartbreaking sentiment that the young athletes – along with the other crash victims – were taken too soon.
One commenter said that their eagerness and jubilance throughout the routine is how they should be remembered.
They wrote: ‘Simply beautiful. As I was watching this amazing performance I couldn’t help but think of the talent and potential these precious children had.
‘May their happiness at the completion of this event bring comfort to all who knew and loved them.’
Ian Epstein, 53, was recorded light-heartedly chatting with passengers on an earlier flight, ‘having fun and reminding everyone how important we are’
Angela and Sean were members of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, according to social media posts from the organization.
‘We have Angela Yang/Sean Kay & Zoe Stone/Jerry Stone heading to Wichita for National Development Camp with Emmanuel Savary competing in the Championship Men event,’ the club said on January 21.
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Yang shared several pictures from her time in Wichita just hours before the flight.
‘Had so so much fun at camp!!! I’m really gonna miss my friends and all the great coaches! I can’t wait for next year!’ she said.
‘It was a lot of fun watching all the skaters at Kansas! I had a lot of fun sitting with my friends watching amazing skaters! I wish I could watch it all over again!’
US Figure Skating confirmed that several skaters, coaches and their family members were on board the flight, and had been returning home from the National Development Camp, which is held in conjunction with the national championships.
‘We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,’ the sport governing body said in a statement.
Another video of one of the collision’s victims – the ‘world’s best flight attendant’ – has tugged at the heart strings of social media users.
Ian Epstein, 53, was recorded light-heartedly chatting with passengers on an earlier flight, ‘having fun and reminding everyone how important we are.’
Yang shared several pictures from her time in Wichita just hours before the doomed flight
Yang wore a beautiful pink sequin dress while they skated in the juvenile dance free dance final in Texas
‘Ian was the person who made customers feel like they were in first class, even if their seat was in the last row,’ the user who shared the video wrote in the caption.
‘We know the reason we have jobs is because you guys are flying. We love you, we appreciate you,’ Epstein said in the video, after cracking jokes as he spoke over the intercom.
Passengers can be heard laughing and applauding throughout the clip.
Reacting to the surfaced footage, people spoke highly of the late flight attendant, complementing his high spirits and friendliness.