Continental Flight: Obama Responds To Tragic Accident

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Friday offered condolences to the families and friends of those killed in a commuter plane crash in upstate New York. He called one of the victims, a Sept. 11 widow whom he saw just last week, "an inspiration to me and to so many others."

"Tragic events such as these remind us of the fragility of life and the value of every single day," Obama said at the start of an economic event at the White House.

A Continental Connection commuter plane crashed into a house in suburban Buffalo, killing all 49 people aboard and a person in the home. Obama offered thanks to the emergency crews who arrived immediately and those still on the scene.

One of the victims was Beverly Eckert, a Sept. 11 widow who was one of the most visible faces in the aftermath of the terror attacks. She was just at the White House last week with Obama as part of a meeting he had with relatives of those killed in the 2001 attacks and the bombing of the USS Cole.

Eckert was flying to Buffalo to celebrate what would have been her husband Sean Rooney's 58th birthday. He worked at Aon Corp., a risk management firm, at the 98th floor of the World Trade Center's south tower in New York City.

Said Obama of Beverly Eckert: "She was an inspiration to me and to so many others, and I pray that her family finds peace and comfort in the hard days ahead. "

Earlier, the White House issued a statement from Obama, in which he said that he and his wife, Michelle, were deeply saddened by the tragedy.

Comments

[JShep]

02:49 PM on 02/14/2009

The plane deaths are very tragic. But, more people die in auto accidents every week and no one expresses much concern for them. The loss of life in an auto accident affects families just as bad as an airplane crash. And the families of plane crash victims usually get over a million dollars in compensation from the airlines to help ease their sorrow, while the average auto accident victims families get nothing.

[barbrn0798]

02:46 PM on 02/13/2009

President Obama's remarks were certainly more sensitive and thoughtful that those of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who said that (paraphrasing here) God just wasn't with these people like he was with the US Air plane that ditched into the Hudson River last month. I personaly don't believe that God has any input into who lives and dies on a daily basis, but I'm sure it was no solace to the families of the dead who do believe to hear that God though less of their loved ones than He did for the ones on US Air.

[PhilipB]

07:42 PM on 02/13/2009

Well said.

[Yamunation]

12:58 PM on 02/13/2009

Obama responded faster to this plane crash than George Bush did for 9/11!

[UrbanRube]

11:37 AM on 02/13/2009

I'm wondering whether they had any children, but the stories I've read don't mention any. That would be even more horrendous. It's a comfort for those of us who believe in an afterlife to think that she and her husband may be together again now.

[yasmeen]

11:00 AM on 02/13/2009

those responding to the comment of "johny dump valve" immediately below should press "reply" underneath his post. i see some of you have confused your replies to him with each other.

seriously, johny/johnny you really should dump the valve because you're getting too much air pressure and its affecting your brain.

[LucieLee]

10:18 AM on 02/13/2009

I am "deeply saddened" as well. What a tragic thing to have happen, just as the country was cheering the extraordinary landing in the Hudson River a few weeks ago, to now this terrifying plane crash into a house in New York.

[mclarek]

10:13 AM on 02/13/2009

Buffalo is a close-knit city/community. While immediate family members will suffer the loss the most, the loss will be felt by an entire City and greater suburban area. Prayers for all affected.

[cinnysmom]

09:48 AM on 02/13/2009

my prayers and heartfelt sympathy go out to all the friends and families of the people who perished on board and the ground .

[gladys46]

09:31 AM on 02/13/2009

I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry. Beverly Eckert on her way to present a scholarship in the name of her late husband who was a 9/11 victim also perished !

My heartfelt best to her family and all those aboard that dreadful flight .

[Klimb]

09:03 AM on 02/13/2009

Prayers and strength to the family members. May he rest the souls of all departed into eternal peace!

[LiberTLover]

08:50 AM on 02/13/2009

My heartfelt sympathies to all of the families and quiet prayers for the victims. What a very sad thing to happen.