Pickleball Tragedy: Five Enthusiasts Lost in Texas Crash

0:00Five Pickleball enthusiasts from the Amarillo Club lost their lives in a small playing crash Thursday night in Texas Hill Country. The victims were Justin Appling, the pilot Hayden Dillard, Brooks Kipala, Stacey Hedrick, and Sarah Wilson. They were flying in a Cessna 4-21C headed to a tournament in New Bronfels. Abbling in Dillard owned a manufactured home business in Amarillo, which shut down through Monday to Grieve. The club shared the sad news on social media, calling them dedicated members and friends. The Pickleball community feels this lost deeply, like family hit hard. Players describe Skipala as witty and athletic. Hedrick as fierce with a big heart and the nickname Rippy and Wilson as a young state tennis champ. Folks who traveled with them to tournaments nationwide say the bonds were tight, full of laughs and support. Federal investigators are now probing the cause after audio caught a distress signal from the plane. Weather was cloudy nearby, with a thunderstorm hitting two hours later.

1:01This tight-knit group is rallying around the families, lifting them up with love and prayers as they face the long road ahead. That's your update from Canada News Today, powered by AI.