Another sports professional and his children have perished in an aircraft accident just six months after Kobe Bryant’s fatal helicopter crash.
According to reports, golf professional Sean Fredrickson and his three children (pictured above) were among the eight people killed in a plane crash over Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene on Sunday, July 5. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office stated the accident took place when two planes carrying a total of eight people collided and crashed into the water. There are no known survivors.
The PGA professional was aboard the Brooks Seaplane with his 16-year-old son Hayden Fredrickson and stepchildren Sofia, 15, and Quinn Olsen, 11. The aircraft was piloted by 58-year-old Neil Lunt from Liberty Lake.
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April Fredrickson, the golfer’s wife, confirmed their deaths, telling Fox affiliate KPTV:
“My family died while they were on an adventure. Everyone was so excited to be on that plane… I think that, at the end of the day, they died doing what they loved which was, you know, being together.”
She continued:
“My daughter was 15 and she loved life, she literally loved life. My little guy was Quinn. He was 11 and he was my best friend. He was just always in tune with what I needed.”
So profoundly heartbreaking.
Fredrickson worked as the head golf professional at Oswego Lake Country Club in Oregon and also served as the president of the Pacific Northwest PGA Section. Many loved ones and colleagues remembered him as a dedicated father and lifelong champion of golf.
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The PGA wrote in a statement:
“Sean was an incredible father, husband, PGA Professional, mentor, and leader. There are never words to communicate the pain of such a loss. Whether through prayer or quiet reflection, please hold Sean and his family in your hearts… As you remember Sean, reflect on the enthusiasm, the integrity, the passion and the love we saw in him every day. We will miss you, our friend.”
The Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the incident, looking into pilot records, maintenance records, and conditions at the time of flight. A more thorough investigation will be conducted once the aircrafts have been recovered.
Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and friends at this devastating time.
[Image via April Fredrickson/Facebook]
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