A South Baltimore couple was among five people killed in a plane crash in Central Florida on Christmas Eve. Victoria Shannon-Worthington (26) and Peter Worthington (27) were flying in a Cessna 340 flown by Shannon-Worthington’s father, John Shannon, en route to Key West before it crashed soon after a 715am takeoff. The conditions were foggy at the time, according to the Polk County, Florida Sheriff’s Office.
From the Polk County Sheriff’s Office:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shannon, Worthington, and Clayton families. This is a tragedy any time, but it is so much worse because it happened on Christmas Eve. We are providing all of our resources to assist them with anything they need to help them get through this horrific tragedy.”
– Grady Judd, SheriffFinal update to the Cessna 340 (twin-engine) plane crash that occurred in Bartow this morning. As a reminder, PCSO is conducting the death investigation portion of this. The FAA and NTSB will investigate the cause of the crash.
Although the Medical Examiner will positively identify the victims, based on interviews with family and friends, and witnesses at the Bartow Airport, we believe the following five adult victims were on-board the plane:
The pilot, 70-year-old John Shannon, a local attorney from Lakeland;
Four passengers:
John’s daughter, 24-year-old Olivia Shannon, a Southeastern University student, of Lakeland;
John’s daughter, 26-year-old Victoria Shannon Worthington, a Baltimore school teacher, of Baltimore, MD;
Victoria’s husband, 27-year-old Peter Worthington, Jr., a third year law student at the University of Maryland, of Baltimore, MD;
Family friend, 32-year-old Krista Clayton, a local teacher at Jewett Academy, of Lakeland.
The pilot, John Shannon, filed a flight plan this morning to fly to Key West. His daughter and her husband arrived in town yesterday for the holidays, from Baltimore, where they live. Krista joined the family on the trip.
All of the victims perished upon or immediately after impact. Autopsies will be conducted later this week to determine their exact causes of death.
Please keep their families in your prayers. Please hug your loved ones a little bit tighter today.
Shannon-Worthington was a fourth-grade teacher at Baltimore International Academy Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore. Worthington was a third-year law student at the University of Maryland Baltimore.
The couple married in June, according to an online wedding announcement, and were visiting Shannon-Worthington’s family.
Also from WBALTV:
Worthington worked as a compliance assistant.
In a statement, Executive Athletic Director Damon Evans said, “Peter was a wonderful person and talented member of our athletic department staff. Upon the completion of his law degree at the University of Maryland, Peter was looking to combine his passion for athletics and law by pursuing a career in compliance. Our sincere thoughts and condolences are with the families of Peter and his wife, Victoria.”
From The Baltimore Sun:
Baltimore Teachers Union President Marietta English called Shannon-Worthington “an exemplary teacher.”
“Our hearts and prayers go out to her family, colleagues and her students at BIA,” she said in a statement.
University of Maryland Carey Law Dean Donald Tobin said Worthington was a third-year law student.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to his friends and family and also to the friends and family of those who died with him in this terrible crash,” Tobin said. “He was a tremendous contributor to our community, and he will be terribly missed.”
Both Shannon-Worthington and Worthington were graduates of Clemson University. Shannon-Worthington earned a masters’s in elementary education form Johns Hopkins University.
Photo courtesy of Facebook
via http://www.southbmore.com/2017/12/26/south-baltimore-couple-killed-in-florida-plane-crash/
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