09.13.01

Senators Murray and Cantwell Offer Condolences to Families of 16 Seattle-area Residents Killed in Mexico Plane Crash

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) today expressed their sorrow for the families and friends of sixteen Seattle-area residents killed when their plane crashed during a sightseeing flight in Mexico yesterday.

All sixteen were passengers on a Holland America Line cruise ship, which was taking several University of Washington supporters to Miami for a Husky football game that was cancelled following terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Two pilots and a tour guide were also killed in the Mexico plane crash.

"I am deeply saddened by this tragic and untimely loss of life," Murray said. "My thoughts and sympathy are with the families and friends of these 16 individuals and with our Seattle community."

"The deaths of these 16 people are a profound and tragic loss for Washington state and the Seattle community," Cantwell said. "This would be a tragedy at any time. Coming the day after the terrorist attacks, these deaths are even more poignant. It reminds us that every human life is precious, and that the loss of even one diminishes us all."

"This has been a difficult week for both our country and our state. It is now more important than ever that we pull together as a community to support friends and neighbors who have suffered such a tragic loss," Murray said.

"Many of those who were killed in the crash had friends and family members on board the cruise ship to which they were returning when their plane went down. Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, but doing so in a country far from home is an added trauma. My heart goes out today to the families and friends of the crash victims," Cantwell said.