President Donald Trump communicated his heartfelt condolences Friday for a billionaire Republican donor and energy entrepreneur who perished along with his daughter, three of her friends and two others in a tragic helicopter crash in the Bahamas.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of great businessman and energy expert Chris Cline, his wonderful daughter, Kameron, and their friends, on the tragic accident which took place in the Bahamas,’ Trump tweeted. ‘The great people of West Virginia will never forget them!”
Fateful flight
Cline, 60, was accompanying his 22-year-old daughter Kameron from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale, Florida during the early morning hours Thursday when the 17-seat Augusta Westland AW-1339 they were riding plummeted into the sea, killing all seven on board. Pictures of the aircraft following the accident show the wreckage completely submerged underwater near Grand Cay.
Cline departed from Big Grand Cay around 2 a.m. Thursday to seek medical attention for his daughter, according to a report. The nature of her medical emergency is still unclear.
Also on board the fateful flight were Brittney Searson, 21, and Jill Clarke, Kameron’s friends and sorority sisters who graduated from Louisiana State University with her in May. Twenty-two-year-old West Virginia University graduate Delaney Wykle was also killed on the aircraft along with David Jude, one of Cline’s friends from West Virginia. One other man, presumably the pilot, perished in the crash, as well.
Cline contributed $1 million dollars to Trump’s inaugural committee after initially supporting the Jeb Bush campaign in 2016. The coal tycoon would have turned 61 on Friday.
Heartfelt condolences
The Cline family, who are said to be in shock over the accident, released a public statement of Friday:
We are all so deeply saddened to announce the deaths of our beloved father Chris and our sister Kameron. This loss will be felt by all those who had the privilege of having known them.
Chris was one of West Virginia’s strongest sons, an American original, full of grit, integrity, intelligence and humor, a testament that our hopes and dreams are achievable when we believe and commit ourselves to action.
Our sister, Kameron was a bright light to all who knew her, loving, smart, compassionate and full of joy and enthusiasm for life and other people. Their legacy of love and inspiration will live on through all of us. We love and miss them dearly but take comfort knowing they are with God now. We ask for prayers and privacy in our time of grieving.
Kameron’s uncle Greg said she was a “sweet person,” and that he cherished the few moments they had to spend together. Searson’s mother Kimberly described her daughter Brittney as “a leader, strong, smart” and “beautiful.”
Coal tycoon
Since news of the crash was made public, several high-profile political figures and businessmen have left tributes and condolences for the family.
Today we lost a WV superstar and I lost a very close friend. Our families go back to the beginning of the Cline empire – Pioneer Fuel. Chris Cline built an empire and on every occasion was always there to give. What a wonderful, loving, and giving man.
— Governor Jim Justice (@WVGovernor) July 5, 2019
Our hearts are heavy with the terrible news this evening of the passing of prominent Son of Marshall Chris Cline. Chris’s generosity to our research and athletics programs has made a mark on Marshall University. I am praying for his family.
— President Gilbert (@MarshalluPres) July 5, 2019
My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of great businessman and energy expert Chris Cline, his wonderful daughter, Kameron, and their friends, on the tragic accident which took place in the Bahamas. The great people of West Virginia will never forget them!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 6, 2019
Cline sold his stake in his publicly traded company, Foresight Energy, for $1.4 billion in 2015. At the time of his death, he was said to be worth an estimated $1.8 billion.
The aircraft manufacturer Leonardo and twin-engine company Pratt & Whitney will reportedly assist the Federal Aviation Authority in investigating the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Administration and the Bahamas Police Marine Unit and Support Team will also assist with the formal inquiry.
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