Covenant News
More Covenanters Reported Lost in Mexican Air Crash
MEXICO (September 16, 2001) - Additional Covenanters were aboard an ill-fated flight that crashed Tuesday in Mexico, Covenant News Service has learned.Brad Zylstra, a member of Newport Covenant Church in Bellevue, Washington, lost his father, Ted, his girlfriend and four close companions when the small plane in which they were passengers crashed about 10 miles from the ruins in Chichen Itza.
Wednesday's news story reported the loss of the parents of a Creekside Covenant Church family from Redmond, Washington, Chuck and Shirley Kennaugh Genther, in the same crash. They were the mother and stepfather of Creekside member Chip Kennaugh.
The victims were part of a University of Washington football fan cruise ship excursion en route to Key West, Florida. Plans called for the group to continue on to Miami Saturday to watch the Huskies play the University of Miami. That game, along with others around the nation, was canceled following the terrorist attacks on Tuesday.
Following cancellation of all football games, the cruise was extended. The smaller group went ashore and boarded a flight to visit Mayan ruins in Chichen Itza. They were returning when the plane crashed. The cause of the crash was not given and the investigation continues.
Brad Zylstra is a middle school teacher and guidance counselor in Renton, Washington. He and his wife, Melissa, have two children, 12-year-old Rachel and one-year-old Benjamin. Brad's sister, Debbie and her husband, Chris, live in Oak Harbor, Washington.
"Please join us in praying for the Zylstra family," said Howard K. Burgoyne, senior pastor at Newport Covenant. The Creekside church also requests prayer for Chip Kennaugh and his wife, Brooke, and other family members.
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