Five brothers and sisters orphaned as mum and dad killed in private jet fireball
Five brothers and sisters have been left orphaned after both their parents were killed when the private jet they were in crashed just 500 feet from the runway.
The Cessna C550 plane carrying 32-year-old Manuel Vargas-Regalado, a marine corps veteran, and his wife Abigail Tellez-Vargas, 33, crashed on Saturday morning, July 8.
The plane went down as it approached the French Valley Airport between Los Angeles and San Diego, California, causing it to explode in a giant fireball.
Manuel and Abigail had been flying back from a business trip in the early hours of the morning when the pilot warned air traffic control he was unable to see the landing strip due to the dense fog.
Now, a GoFundMe page has been set up for the children following the tragedy.
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Manuel and Abigail were on their way back from a business trip when the plane they were in crashed (Gofundme)The page was set up by a family friend of the couple, Monique Bettencourt, who says the funds will go to Abigail's sister Alejandra Trevino. Alejandra will reportedly be taking full custody of the couple's five children to "raise and love them as her own".
Monique said: "These children did not just lose one parent they have lost both which just breaks my heart. No kid should have to face this type of tragedy. Please be in prayer for their kids and family during these devastating times".
Manuel and Abigail were described as "amazing parents" to their five children; Caleb, 14; Alexandria, 11; Manny,8; Alberto, 3; and Avi, 1.
The "sudden and unexpected passing" of the couple is said to have "impacted so many people" with the pair to be "missed by so many, especially their children."
Manuel and Abigail left behind five children: Caleb, 14; Alexandria, 11; Manny,8; Alberto, 3; and Avi, 1. (Gofundme)Monique explained: "Abigail's sister, Alejandra, will be taking the kids in to love and care for. The financial burdens that come with an unexpected loss can be overwhelming.
"Any money donated will go to Abigail's sister to help support their children. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very difficult time."
Four others were also killed when the plane went down in California. Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner Chad Bianco confirmed them as: pilot Riese Lenders, 25; and passengers Lindsey Gleiche, 31; Alma Razick, 51; and Ibrahem Razick, 46.
The plane had attempted to land twice at the airstrip, crashing on its second approach. It had taken off from Harry Reid International in Nevada.
The plane crashed 500ft from the runway in California before bursting into flames (Fox 11 WS)Investigator Elliott Simpson with the National Transportation Safety Board said in a press conference a "marine layer" of fog, common around coastal southern California, had descended on the runway. This reduced visibility for the pilot trying to find the landing strip.
"The pilot reported to air traffic control that he was going to perform a missed approach, which generally happens when the pilot can't see the runway," said Mr Simpson.
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Flight tracking information shows that the twin-jet plane abandoned its first attempt at an altitude of less than 1,600 feet with a speed of around 170mph.
The plane then looped back around and attempted a second landing. This time the plane crashed around 500 feet from the intended runway, just 58 minutes after it took off.
As a result of the crash, the jet was engulfed in flames as it hit the ground. The resulting fire set alight an acre of vegetation before crews were able to extinguish it.
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