A YMCA in the Nashville, TN, area is closed today after a plane crashed near the facility, killing all four people on board.
No injuries were reported inside the Bellevue (TN) Family YMCA, which was evacuated after the Gulfstream 690C plane crashed shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, about 10 miles from a local airport. The plane flew out of Great Bend, KS, at about 2:45 p.m. Monday.
According to reports, wreckage and debris spread over an area of more than 80 yards. Several cars in the Y parking lot were damaged, most of which belonged to Y staff. The cars will remain on site as part of the ongoing investigation, according to the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, which operates the Bellevue Family YMCA.
"The YMCA of Middle Tennessee is deeply saddened by the loss of life in Monday's tragic plane crash on the grounds of our Bellevue Family YMCA," the Y said in a statement posted on its website. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims' families and all those affected by the crash. Although no injuries were reported inside the Y, we know Monday's events were very emotional and trying for the members and staff who were in the building at the time of the crash. Our chaplain and counselors will be on hand to support those affected in the coming days."
As many as 300 people were likely in the Y between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, according to the Y, which monitors when members check into the building but not when they leave.
"We are grateful for the swift action of our staff and members, who promptly evacuated the facility," the Y said. "We will continue to cooperate with investigators, and the Y will remain closed until we are authorized to reopen."
The Y added it could take as many as 24 to 48 hours to reopen, and the facility will be inspected by structural engineers to determine if the building was damaged.
"We will continue to communicate to members as soon as more information becomes available on a potential opening day and time," the Y said.
Nashville District Fire Chief George Hickey told the Tennessean that the plane crash is the worst he has ever seen and credited the pilot for missing buildings—including the Y—before crashing.
"I'm no expert, but that tells me the pilot did one hell of a job," Hickey told the newspaper.
Chastity Mitchell was at the Y watching her kids swim in the pool at the time the plane crashed, the Tennessean reported, and she urged people to evacuate the building.
"I just heard a really horrible explosion and looked up [at] those glass windows and saw a wall of fire," Mitchell told the newspaper. "[The evacuation] was not very organized at that point getting out of the building. In fact, most of the people coming out the classrooms thought it was a drill. I'm like, 'No! No! I just saw fire! Run!' If you weren't on that side of the building, you may have heard the explosion, but you sure didn't see flames or know what was going on."
As of this morning, the identities of the four victims had not been announced.