NFL Star Bruce Collie's Daughter, 30, Dies in Plane Crash
Devyn Reiley, the daughter of two-time Super Bowl Champion and former San Francisco 49'er Bruce Collie, has died. She was 30.
Reiley, an aviator, was one of two people killed in a crash during an air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Saturday. July 29.
The Federal Aviation Administration added in a statement: "A single-engine North American T-6 Texan crashed into Lake Winnebago, around 9 a.m. local time Saturday, July 29, after departing Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Two people were on board."
Reiley and her co-pilot Zach Colliemoreno, 20, were flying a World War II-era T-6 Texan during the AirVenture Oshkosh airshow when the aircraft plunged into Lake Winnebago at around 9 a.m. Saturday, five minutes after takeoff, according to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).
Witnesses told NBC reporters that the plane began spinning uncontrollably before it crashed. "I thought they were doing a trick at first," said Brayden Hiebing, who had been fishing in the lake at the time of the tragic crash.
Hiebing continued, "I heard the plane start coming out of the sky, and it started like spinning and all of a sudden it just made a big splash."
The U.S. Coast Guard began searching the lake shortly after the accident was reported and divers were able to recover the bodies of both pilots.
#FINALUPDATE Dive crews have located 2nd POB. Local authorities will conduct recovery ops, including aircraft & are coordinating NOK notifications. All USCG assets have been released from the case.
— USCG Great Lakes (@USCGGreatLakes) July 30, 2023
Later that day, a second crash occurred near the airshow after an ELA 10 Eclipse gyrocopter collided mid-air with a RotorWay162F helicopter. The pilot of the helicopter, Mark Peterson, 69, and passenger Thomas Volz, 72, were both killed.
Both crashes are reportedly undergoing investigations to determine what led to the fatal accidents.
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After the news broke about Reiley's death, her 21-year-old sister Calyn shared a tearjerking tribute with People.
"I can confidently say she was one of my best friends, a beloved sister and friend to all who knew her," Calyn told the outlet. "Her inspiration, hard work, love for the Lord, joy, drive and love for life made her a beam of light, and she touched the lives of thousands."
"There is a bitter-sweetness that comes with losing her while she did what she loved with all her heart, flying airplanes," she continued. "My heart also is with my brother-in-law, Hunter Reiley. The three of us were inseparable, and I can fully attest that they had one of those marriages anyone would be jealous of."
"They recently celebrated their 3-year anniversary and still acted like newlyweds, they were the best of friends, did anything and together and loved every minute of sharing their passions together," Calyn concluded. "I love you and miss you so much, Devyn. Fly High until we meet again."
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