Tragic last photo shared by gospel band before deadly accident
Kelly Nelon Clark, a member of the gospel band The Nelons, posted a chilling message on Facebook just hours before a tragic plane crash.
Later, she shared another post showing her daughter Amber and assistant Melodi Hodges in their final moments. This post came just before their plane went down, killing seven people.
The Nelons were flying from Nebraska to Seattle on July 26 for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, a Christian music event. The band was excited about the weeklong cruise along the Alaskan coast.
TRAGIC PLANE CRASH IN WYOMING:
We mourn the profound loss of members of the famed gospel group, “The Nelons.”
Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, their daughter Amber Kistler, and her husband Nathan Kistler, whom I had the pleasure of knowing from my time in Washington, D.C.… pic.twitter.com/B4kwl2RdYf
— Caleb Parke (@calebparke) July 29, 2024
On the plane were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber and her husband Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie with his wife Melissa.
“Up for an early flight to Seattle. Pray for a good smooth flight and no storms. Then pray a great Gaither Alaskan Cruise. Will we see you?” Kelly Nelon Clark wrote, sharing her excitement for the upcoming trip.
Her final post before the crash read, “Wheels up! Seattle here we come!” with a picture of her daughter and Hodges on the plane.
Tragedy struck around 1 p.m. near Gillette, Wyoming, when the plane crashed. The Nelons, a beloved gospel music family, lost several members in the accident.
Gaither Music confirmed that Kelly’s younger daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman, and her husband Jamie were not on the plane and had arrived safely in Seattle. They were informed of the crash upon arrival and are now returning home to be with family.
Autumn expressed her grief on social media, thanking everyone for their support and love. “I don’t have the words to comprehend how I feel right now & I’m not sure when I will, if ever,” she wrote.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp paid tribute to the pilot, Larry Haynie, highlighting his dedicated public service career. “Our entire family is asking everyone to join us in praying for those who have been lost, for their loved ones and communities, and for those throughout the gospel music community who have lost dear friends in this heartbreaking accident,” Kemp said.
Members of Gospel Group The Nelons Killed in Plane Crash https://t.co/ehKiHrq69E pic.twitter.com/oBu3KUqUdy
— BlackAmericaWeb.com (@BlackAmericaWeb) July 31, 2024
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesperson Keith Holloway stated that preliminary information points to an “auto pilot issue during flight” as the cause of the crash. The investigation is still ongoing.
Rest in peace. Please share your thoughts and support for the surviving members of the families involved in this tragedy.
