News

Ex-Phillies pitcher among four killed in Utah plane crash

by Kaelan Deese - 07/04/20 4:41 PM ET

Ex-Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tyson Brummett was killed along with three others in a plane crash in Utah on Friday, authorities confirmed.

Brummett, 35, was piloting a small plane above the South Valley Regional Airport in West Jordan when it crashed in American Fork Canyon near Box Elder Peak, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.

“A man and two of his sons were hiking when they saw the plane begin to turn, then spiral downward,” the sheriff’s office said. “The witness said the plane spiraled out of his view and moments later he heard the impact.”

UPDATE:

Thoughts going out to the family members of these four killed in the Utah County plane crash:

Tyson Brummett
Alex Ruegner
Doug and Elaine Blackhurst

Exclusive look at the crash from @KSL5TV chopper. pic.twitter.com/vwNdSAFRka

— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) July 3, 2020

The witness called 911 and walked down to the plane wreckage, where he saw the victims, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

Authorities flew to the scene via helicopter, verifying all four passengers on board the aircraft “appeared to have died on impact.”

Officials say the other victims aboard the plane were Alex Blackhurst Ruegner, 35, Elaine Blackhurst, 60, and her spouse, Douglas Robinson Blackhurst. The Blackhursts are reportedly the aunt and uncle of Ruegner, authorities said.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

The Phillies have responded on social media, expressing the team’s condolences to the family and friends of Brummett and the other passengers.

“The Phillies organization sends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former pitcher Tyson Brummett, along with three members of the Ruegner and Blackhurst families, who tragically passed away in a plane crash yesterday morning,” the Philadelphia Phillies tweeted Saturday.