NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Three members of the gospel group The Nelons were among seven killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, their management announced.
Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber and son-in-law Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa were all killed in the crash while en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.
Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle.
They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise, according to a release.
Autumn and Jamie will now reportedly return home to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers, the release continued.
Autumn Nelon Streetman released her own statement, which reads:
As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.
Autumn Nelon Streetman
The plane crashed at about 1 p.m. north of the town of Gillette near the Wyoming state line.
A distress signal was sent out by the plane before the crash and witnesses later reported seeing smoke columns rising into the air near the suspected crash site, according to the Associated Press.
A wildfire was sparked by the crash and suppressed using aircraft, heavy equipment and engine crews. The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team to investigate.