Members of gospel group The Nelons killed in plane crash

(Courtesy of Gaither Management Group)

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WKRN) – Three members of the gospel group The Nelons were among the seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming, their management said.

Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber and son-in-law Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa were all killed in the crash en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska.

Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband Jamie Streetman were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle.

They were taken to the hotel, where artists gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and support them in their grief, assuring them of their support in any time of need, a press release said.

Autumn and Jamie will now reportedly return home to Kelly’s brother Todd Nelon and his wife Rhonda to begin the difficult tasks that lie ahead. Please pray for them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges, the release continued.

Autumn Nelon Streetman released her own statement, saying:

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, and our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have already been extended to me, my husband Jamie and our soon-to-be-born son, as well as Jason’s parents Dan and Linda Clark. We thank you for your continued prayers, love and support in the days ahead.

Autumn Nelon Streetman

The plane crashed around 1 p.m. north of the city of Gillette near the border with Wyoming.

Before the crash, the plane had sent out a distress signal and witnesses later reported seeing columns of smoke rising into the air near the suspected crash site, the Associated Press reported.

The accident sparked a forest fire that was fought with aircraft, heavy equipment and engine crews. The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team to investigate the fire.