There were no survivors
One of the best-loved southern gospel music families in America, The Nelons was involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon (July 26th) on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber, and Nathan Kistler, and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa. The accident happened around 3 pm in Wyoming.
Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle and were notified of the accident. They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise.
“As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday,” Autumn Nelon Streetman shares. “Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”
“Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers,” a statement reads on the Gaither Music social media channels.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident. There were no survivors on board.
The Altanta-based group began in 1977 as The Rex Nelon Singers but became a trio in 2014 when Amber won Female Vocalist of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. The Nelons have been nominated for Grammys, Dove Awards, Singing News Awards, Christian Voice Awards, and others, and were inducted into the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Hall of Fame in 2016.
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