Creator of the popular clothing line Famous Stars and Straps Travis Barker, and Nicole Richie‘s ex fiancé DJ AM are in critical condition today after their plane skid off of a runway in Columbia, South Carolina. The crash, which killed all 4 of the other people aboard, happened soon after the jet started to takeoff last night. According to air traffic controllers, sparks were seen shooting from the plane before it veered and crashed in a nearby road.
An eye witness told NBC news affiliate WIS that he saw a fireball crossing the road near the airport and then realized it was a plane. He saw jet fuel shoot out across the roadway and then saw two men, who were both on fire, patting each other down to extinguish the flames.
Beth Frits, a spokesperson for the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, confirmed that AM (born Adam Goldstein) and Barker were transported to a hospital in Columbia, following the crash. They were transferred — AM by helicopter and Barker by ambulance — to the Still Center soon after. She told CNN that both men had “extensive burns.”
Lexington County Deputy Coroner Brian Setree confirmed for MTV News on Saturday morning that three men and a woman were killed in the crash. Just after 10 a.m. Saturday, Setree identified two of the crash victims: the plane’s pilot, Sarah Lemmon, 31, of Anaheim, California, and her co-pilot, James Bland, who was 52 and lived in Carlsbad, California. At 10:40, Setree confirmed that Barker’s assistant, Chris “Little Chris” Baker, also died in the crash. He was 29, and lived in Studio City, California. TMZ.com is reporting that Baker, who appeared on MTV’s reality show “Meet the Barkers,” was newly married, and that his wife recently gave birth. At 11:30 a.m., Setree released the name of the fourth person who died: Charles Still, 25, of Los Angeles. He reportedly worked in a security capacity.
All of us here at Gossip On This ask that you keep Travis and DJ AM in your prayers. We hope they have a speedy recovery.
