Skating Coach Whose Husband and Students Died in D.C. Plane Crash Says She's ‘Lost Everything'
The wife of a passenger killed in the midair collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, is grieving her late husband, figure skating coach Alexandr 'Sasha' Kirsanov.
Natalya Gudin, the wife of the late 46-year-old, told ABC News that she and Kirsanov coached two young figure skaters, Angela Yang and Sean Kay. The couple decided that only one coach would accompany the skaters to the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kan.
"I lost everything. I lost my husband. I lost my students. I lost my friends," Gudin told ABC News.
"We always use American Airlines when we go to competition," Gudin told Delaware Online. "This time they go without me, and all of them are gone."
'This young team – Sean Kay and Angela Yang – they were so amazing,' Gudin said. 'All the judges were so proud and they had such a big future. And what, all on the same plane? ... For me, it's a triple [loss].'
Related: Figure Skaters, Moms and an Engaged Pilot: What We Know About the D.C. Plane Crash Victims So Far
Kirsanov was one of 60 passengers en route to the Washington, D.C. area when the collision occurred over the Potomac River around 9 p.m. Wednesday night. There were also four flight attendants on the regional plane and three soldiers on the helicopter.
As of Thursday, Jan. 30, 27 bodies were recovered so far from the jet and one from the chopper. No survivors from the incident were expected.
Gudin and Kirsanov last spoke right before he boarded the flight. They said they would connect once he landed. But she never heard from him, and instead, the mother of one of the other figure skaters on the flight informed Gudin about the crash.
Gudin stayed awake through the night in hopes of good news. However, by Thursday morning, she learned Kirsanov and their students likely died in the crash.
On Thursday afternoon, she stayed at a Virginia hotel, anticipating more information about her husband's remains. "I need my husband back," Gudin said. "I need his body back."
Related: Father of American Airlines Pilot Says Son Was 'Engaged to Get Married' This Fall: 'Devastating'
Kirsanov, who was more recently a coach for the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, was a professional ice dancer. He previously competed for the U.S., Azerbaijan and Russia, and last competed in 2004. He then coached and choreographed in his retirement, and coached the UD Figure Skating Club.
UD President Dennis Assanis issued a statement on Thursday confirming Kirsanov's death.
"I had the privilege of being coached by Sasha. He was a caring, funny, and talented coach. He was able to push us to reach our goals while also keeping skating fun and lighthearted. He will truly be missed by many," a former UD student told PEOPLE.
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The two young skaters and coach were returning from the Kansas competition alongside 12 other figure skaters.
Washington Figure Skating Club skaters, sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, 14 and 11, are also among the victims. Six victims were from The Skating Club of Boston: teens Spencer Lane and Jinna Han; their mothers Christine Lane and Jin Han; and coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
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