Tyson Brummett, a former Major League Baseball player, was one of four individuals killed Friday morning in a small plane crash in Utah.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office reported that the crash occurred shortly before 8 a.m. near Box Elder Peak in American Fork Canyon. The plane crashed, killing all four individuals on board.
The other fatalities were named as Alex Blackhurst Ruegner, 35, and his aunt and uncle, Elaine W. Blackhurst, 60, and Douglas Robinson Blackhurst, 62. They were all residents of Riverton.
The plane departed South Valley Regional Airport in West Jordan, Utah, approximately 7 a.m., sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon told NBC News in a phone interview Saturday. He believes the party was out for a ride and was returning to the airport when the tragedy happened.
“It’s a sad thing,” he explained.
According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, a guy and his two boys were hiking in the area when they noticed the jet turning and spiraling downward.
“The witness stated that the plane spiraled out of his vision and then he heard the impact,” according to the announcement.
The man had to climb up to acquire reception and phone for aid. “The witness then descended down to the plane and confirmed that the occupants had killed on impact,” the sheriff’s office stated.
Cannon said the plane crashed about 15 miles from the airport. He described the weather on Friday morning as warm with scattered clouds, but “for the most part blue skies.”
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The Phillies picked Brummett in 2007 and he pitched one game for them in 2012. He was in the Phillies’ system from 2007 to 2012, tossing 110 innings for Triple A Lehigh Valley, according to NBC Sports.
The Philadelphia Eagles issued a statement on Saturday regarding his demise.
“The Phillies organization extends its profound sympathies to the family and friends of former pitcher Tyson Brummett, as well as three members of the Ruegner and Blackhurst families, who sadly died in a plane crash yesterday morning.”
Brummett played for the UCLA Bruins before moving on to the pros. Cody Decker, another former Bruin, paid tribute to him via Twitter.
“I just want you all to know Tyson was an excellent baseball player,” Decker wrote. “An excellent teammate. And a much better person. I’m proud to have known him, let alone call him a friend. “He was unique.”
