An entire pickleball team has been killed in a plane crash on their way to a tournament. The aircraft, which was carrying five people including members of the Amarillo Pickleball Club, crashed in Wimberly, southwest of Austin, Texas, killing everyone on board.
Fatal Crash Details
Sgt. Billy Ray confirmed: 'The pilot and four passengers on board were pronounced deceased on scene.' The pickleball club stated the passengers were team members flying to a tournament at Cranky Pickle in New Braunfels. The victims were identified as Seren Wilson, Brooke Skypala, Stacy Hedrick, Glenn Appling, and Hayden Dillard.
Community Mourns
Martin Robertson, head pro at the venue, announced the tournament's cancellation and plans to honor the deceased with a prayer before Saturday's events. 'We're very heavy hearted, heartbroken from this,' he said. 'The pickleball community is very tight knit. Everybody knows everybody.'
Dan Dyer, president of the Amarillo Pickleball Club, expressed his grief, noting he had played many games with four of the victims. 'I've handed them medals. They were excellent players. They were out to win some games,' Dyer said. 'Every weekend there are dozens of tournaments. Some people get the bug; others don't. But once they do, they'll travel for a tournament.'
Stacey Rohr, a nearby resident, recounted hearing a crash and feeling vibrations. 'It was so close I felt like it was the back of my place up in flames,' she said, prompting her to call her landlord immediately.
