[ad_1]
The limo accident in Schoharie, New York, killed 20 people almost instantly on Saturday. He devastated families, killing brothers and sisters and leaving young children without parents. The victims were friends and relatives – including four sisters from one family and two brothers from another – who were going to a brewery in Cooperstown, New York, to celebrate their 30th birthday.
Instead, they were killed when the oversized limousine they were traveling through was crossing an intersection known for its danger and crashed onto an unoccupied car – and two other people killing them – before it was over. 39, immobilize in a shallow ravine.
[Readmore[Readmore[Lirelasuite[Readmoreon the limousine crash come.]
Investigators spoke little of what they knew about the accident, which federal officials considered to be the deadliest transport incident since an accident in 2009. But details of the victims are beginning to appear.
Here's what we know about the 20 people killed on Saturday.
• The limousine was rented by Axel and Amy Steenburg, newlyweds from Amsterdam, New York, who had been married during the summer, according to Lester Andrews, Axel Steenburg's father-in-law. The group of friends had gathered to celebrate Amy Steenburg's 30th birthday.
• Three of her sisters, Mary Dyson, Allison King and Abby Jackson, also died in the car accident, loved ones said. Axel's brother Rich Steenburg was also killed and leaves behind his 10-year-old daughter and son-in-law. the The Steenburg brothers have both worked for GlobalFoundries, a foundry producing semiconductors.
• Ms. Jackson was a teacher in the Amsterdam School District. The Times Union. Amsterdam is a small town on the Mohawk River, located about 30 km north of Schoharie, from where "most" of the victims were from, according to a tweet from Angelo Santabarbara, a local deputy. The city plans a vigil on Monday night for the victims.
• Barbara Douglas, an aunt of four sisters, told NBC News that the party was a surprise birthday party for her niece, Mrs. Steenburg. "They were responsible for taking a limousine not to drive," Douglas said. She added that Rob Dyson, who was married to Ms. Dyson, had also been killed in the accident.
Mr. and Mrs. Dyson lived in Watertown, New York. Ms. Dyson was an army veteran, an engineer and a CrossFit coach. according to WWNYTV.
• Two other victims were also recently married: Erin and Shane McGowan. Rocco Semprivivo said his daughter-in-law, Erin McGowan, had been with Shane McGowan for a few years before getting married at St. Mary's Church in Amsterdam in June.
She had worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam and was preparing her Masters in Special Education.
"It was such a pretty girl," Semprivivo said about his daughter-in-law before hanging up.
• Patrick Cushing, Erin McGowan's cousin, also died in the accident. "He loved, hugged and cried with his friends and family as if their problems were his," said his brother, Justin Cushing, in a statement. Patrick Cushing, 31, worked for the New York Senate Technology Group, his brother said. He loved photography and played for Team USA Dodgeball.
"Pat's passion for the sport and his ever-present laughter was contagious for those lucky enough to play alongside or against him," the US Dodgeball team wrote on Facebook.
Patrick Cushing lived in Troy with his girlfriend, Amanda Halse, 26, who also died in the accident. "He loved Amanda," said his brother.
• Karina Halse spoke of his sister Amanda Halse in "Good Morning America" on Monday.
"She was such a charismatic person and she just wanted to make sure everyone was happy and I'm so grateful that she is my sister among all the people on this earth," said Ms. Halse.
His sister had been with Mr. Cushing for about a year, she said.
• Patrick Cushing was the godfather of one of Adam's and Abby Jackson's daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson also died in the accident. A GoFundMe page has been created to cover tuition fees for their daughters Archer, age 4, and Ellie, age 16 months.
• According to Erin Flaherty, a common friend living in Manhattan, the victims were a very close group of friends, most of whom were in their thirties, recently married or had young children.
"They were together several times a week," says Flaherty, pointing out that they were organizing many parties in their gardens.
Tyler Pager contributed to the reporting.
[ad_2]
Source link