Reno Air Race Crash: Christian Community Unites to Support City Torn by Grief
Four days after the tragic plane crash at the Reno National Championships air show in Reno, Nev., which killed 11 and injured 70, churches are still full with Christians seeking solace and looking to mourn the victims.
The five-day air race in Reno is held annually, and generates tens of millions of dollars for the local economy.
“Almost every church in Reno hosted special prayers on Sunday, in memory of the victims and their families,” the Rev. Rich Smith told The Christian Post.
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His congregation of the First Congregational Church in Reno is open daily to those who are looking to ponder the tragedy within the Christian community, the pastor said.
Immediately after the crash, Smith and other members of the community were frantically checking if any members of their church had been involved directly in the tragedy.
“I found out that we had one man who really enjoyed going to the races. He didn’t participate, but he was there when the crash had occurred.”
The congregation also prayed Sunday for an 11-year-old Reno boy, who was heavily injured. He faces an extended period of recovery, Smith told The Christian Post.
“It was a great tragedy,” said Cindy Evans, a Christian and member of a different Reno church. “We certainly remember and we’ve honored all those who passed away so tragically with a minute of silence.”
Another Reno cleric, the Rev. Thomas Babu, told The Associated Press that he had the opportunity to kneel and pray with people who had just learned that their family member was killed in the crash.
St. Michael Catholic Church in Reno hosted a special commemorative service Sunday. The mass included a minute of silence that honored the victims.
The death toll from the horrific crash at Reno’s air race rose to nine even as officials were trying to determine the cause of the accident Sunday morning. The 10th victim died Monday, and the death toll rose to 11 on Tuesday, the Reno-Gazette Journal reported.
On Friday, A P51 Mustang, piloted by 74-year-old veteran Hollywood stunt pilot Jimmy Leeward, spun out of control during an air show and nose-dived into the front section of the spectators’ seating.
It is believed that the pilot saved many lives by trying to maneuver the plane as far away from the crowd as he could.
Until Friday’s crash at, 19 pilots have died at the championships since 1972.
