
A tragic plane crash on property owned by Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins resulted in one fatality, New York authorities reported on Thursday.
Crash Details and Timeline
According to East Aurora Police Chief Patrick Welch, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport alerted officials around 11:16 a.m. ET about mechanical issues with a small aircraft attempting to reach White Plains. The plane, which departed from Lansing, Michigan, crashed approximately six minutes later in a wooded area near Dawkins’ property.
The incident occurred between two homes and was confirmed to be on Dawkins’ property through WKBW-TV, citing local property records. Responding fire officials encountered a “fully involved fire” upon arrival.
Victim Information and Investigation
The single-engine 1979 Beechcraft A36 had only one occupant—the pilot—who was tragically killed in the crash. The pilot’s identity has not yet been released. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is actively investigating the cause of the accident.
Dion Dawkins’ Response
Dion Dawkins, a three-time Pro Bowler, addressed the incident upon returning to practice. Speaking with reporters, he expressed sympathy for the pilot’s family.
“I still wonder why things happen in life, but tragedies occur all the time,” Dawkins said, according to Syracuse.com. “The biggest point is that I hope the pilot’s family is OK. Somebody lost their life today due to an accident. I’m grateful my family is perfectly fine.”
Dawkins was excused from practice on Thursday to manage personal matters related to the crash.
Buffalo Bills’ Preparation for Upcoming Game
The Buffalo Bills continue preparations for their Sunday evening game against the New England Patriots. Dawkins’ presence on the field remains a pivotal part of the team’s strategy as they move forward from this unexpected tragedy.
Source: Fox News