Olympian Nancy Kerrigan Breaks Down in Tears on Live TV at Boston Skating Club Where 6 Crash Victims Belonged

Olympian Nancy Kerrigan gave a heartbreaking interview at her former Boston skating club, where six of the victims in the deadly American Airlines plane crash belonged.

Kerrigan, 55, an alumna of the club, broke down in tears as she spoke to reporters outside the Skating Club of Boston on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 30, saying she’s “not sure how to process” the devastating loss.

“I just wanted to be here and be part of our community,” Kerrigan said as she stood alongside the club’s representatives as they mourned members of their community.

Skating Club of Boston CEO Doug Zeghibe said Thursday that skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane were among those killed, along with 1994 pairs World Champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Shishkova and Naumov are also married and have a 23-year-old son, Maxim, who also skates at the club but was not on the flight.

In all, 14 of the victims were coming back from a national development camp for promising young skaters following the U.S. Championships in Wichita, Kan., Zeghibe said.

Kerrigan said she had been awake throughout the night watching the coverage. “And then when you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it’s an even bigger blow,” she said. “We just wish them well, the families, the courage and the strength to make the next steps.”

The former Olympian went on to offer some words of support, saying, “We’ve been through tragedies before as Americans, as people, and we are strong, and I guess it’s how we respond to it.”

“Even when it’s hard, you get back up. It’s not easy, but that’s what we have to do together.”

Kerrigan said her response to the tragedy was to go to the skating club “and be with people I care about and love.”

“I feel for the athletes, their families, but anyone who was on that plane, not just the skaters because its just such a tragic event,” Kerrigan said.

On Wednesday, Jan. 29, at around 9 p.m. local time, American Airlines flight 5342 crashed into a military aircraft over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after departing from Wichita, Kan., the FAA said in an initial statement to PEOPLE.

The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, according to the airline.

Officials said Thursday, Jan. 30, they believe there are no survivors.