Three members of US family gospel group The Nelons killed in plane crash in Wyoming | World News

Among the seven people killed in a plane crash in Wyoming were three members of the US family gospel group The Nelons.

Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler died on Friday while flying to a performance on a cruise ship.

Nelon Kistler’s husband Nathan Kistler, family friend Melodi Hodges, and Larry and Melissa Haynie were also killed in the crash.

Autumn Nelon Streetman, the Clarks’ youngest daughter and fourth member of the Georgia-based quartet, was not on the plane.

“Thank you for the prayers already sent out to me, my husband Jamie and our soon-to-be-born little boy, as well as Jason’s parents Dan and Linda Clark,” she said in a statement.

“We thank you for your continued prayers, love and support in the days ahead.”

The group was founded in the 1970s by Kelly Nelon Clark’s father Rex Nelon and was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016.

The Nelons were on their way to take part in the Gaither Homecoming Cruise, which was scheduled to set sail from Seattle on Saturday and cruise through Puget Sound.

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A statement from the Gaither Music Group, the sponsor of the cruise that features gospel singers and groups, said: “The Nelons, one of America’s most beloved gospel music families, were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash Friday afternoon en route to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise.”

It continues: “Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband Jamie Streetman were not on board the aircraft, arrived safely in Seattle and were notified of the accident.”

“They were taken to the hotel where artists gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief. They promised to support them in any need.”

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Campbell County’s Facebook page said the accident occurred around 1 p.m. north of the city of Gillette and sparked a forest fire.

A spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said his team would be on site on Saturday. Preliminary reports indicate that the Pilatus PC-12/47E aircraft crashed due to an “autopilot problem.”

“The aircraft is in a remote location and once they gain access they will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft,” he said.

“The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further investigation.”

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the accident, and it may take one to two years to complete the investigation to determine the “probable cause of the crash.”