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Travis Barker critically injured in plane crash; 4 killed

Alternative Press - Scott Heisel on 9/20/08 @ 12:00 PM - altpress.com

UPDATED ON 9/21/08 AT 12:25 p.m. EST

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker was involved in a plane crash late last night in Columbia, South Carolina, killing four and critically injuring himself and performing partner DJ AM. Pictures of the crash site can be found below.

According to MSNBC, the Learjet the pair were on was about to take off from Columbia Metropolitan Airport for Van Nuys, California, when sparks were seen shooting out of the back of the plane. From CNN: "They overran the end of runway 11. They impacted the antenna array and a number of lights at the end of the runway. They went through the perimeter fence and across the roadway here," said NTSB spokeswoman Debbie Hersman, briefing reporters on Saturday. "There was a significant post-crash fire."

Four people have been pronounced dead: Pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, of Anaheim Hills, California; co-pilot James Bland, 52, of Carlsbad, California; Chris Baker, 29, of Studio City, California; and Charles Still, 25, of Los Angeles, California. Baker was Barker's assistant; Still, his personal bodyguard.

Barker and DJ AM (real name Adam Goldstein) are being treated for "extensive burns" at Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia.

Barker received second- and third-degree burns to his torso, and Goldstein received second- and third-degree burns to his face and hands. Both men are in critical but stable condition and according to Dr. Fred Mullins will make a full recovery. Mullins, in charge of the patients at Joseph M. Still Burn Center, says it may take up to a year to fully recover, however.

"I think these patients are going to make a full recovery," Mullins said at a press conference this morning. "Anybody who can survive a plane crash is very lucky."

A witness who saw the plane crash had claimed that he saw two men in the middle of the highway, presumably Barker and Goldstein, both on fire. However, they managed to put themselves out.

The plane was reportedly certified to operate as of 2007 and was headed for Van Nuys, California.

When more information becomes available, we will update you.


PHOTO: Associated Press


PHOTO: Associated Press

AP EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS:

Below: Travis Barker and Adam Goldstein had performed together Friday at a free concert in Columbia under the name TRVSDJ-AM.

The show (at the Five Points neighborhood near the University of South Carolina) included performances by former Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell and singer Gavin DeGraw.







Post a Comment

Honorable_Mention
Oh my God. That is just awful. I hope all the injured parties make a speedy recovery.

disenchanted--
Oh shit. They're so lucky they didn't die... I hope they have a good recovery.

chelsealange
this is horrible my thoughts are with the families that lost a member. and i hope the others get well soon =(

karifax
Wow. That's... that sucks. Wow.

Coug
It's good to know they are still alive... hopefully they are able to pull through. My thoughts are with the families of those who didn't make it.

AltRockFan
man this is horrible, my thoughts are to the families that they lost in the plane crash and I hope travis and adam have a good recovery.

RavenArmy
I hope Travis makes it, it would be a shame to loose him, this news is almost as tragic as the death of Bayside drummer John Beatz.

screamthearts
oh man. wow. this is horrible. even though he is no longer in Blink-182, I still love the dude for the good he has done. I'd really suck to loose such an increadible tallent. I am glad he survived so far though, even though a shame for the other losses.

MellorStrummer
Since when can we post comments? Anyway, I'm really sad about Little Chris. He was such a cute. He'll be missed. I hope the best for Travis and AM.

ziggystardust
woah. this sucks. i just dont what else to say. i smell a song written about it though.

anarchistinptown
god this is terrible...I feel horrible for the families of the four that died. im guessing travis and AM will both be okay but theyre most likely going to be disfigured... hopefully this wont effect either of their careers