Chris CiarloChannel 2 News
For the first time since Friday's tragic air race accident, Channel 2 News got the chance to speak with the President of the Reno Air Races, Mike Houghton.
Houghton could not speak about the investigation. He did want to thank the community for the support. He said he and those who work the air races are hurting just like everyone else.
"Our family has been really hurt. The fans and Jimmy's (Leeward) family and friends of all the families, along with the volunteers, are all really feeling the pain."
Houghton said he wants to thank every person who stepped up and helped the wounded last Friday at the Reno-Stead Airport. He said the medical responders were on scene minutes after the crash.
Houghton said they have not had a chance to figure out refunds for those who bought tickets and weren't able to go this year. He says they will figure that out at a later date.
I also asked him if he thinks the air races should continue, but he said he doesn't want to talk about it right now. He said the air racing board will have to sit down and discuss that issue eventually.
"We are still in a state of shock. We're in a state of high concern for the families of those that are deceased; our fans that are a part of our family that are still in the hospital. We have been focused on the victims. We'll address some of the mundane business issues in the week and weeks to come."
Houghton said he was a personal friend of Jimmy Leeward. He said Jimmy would be devastated to know all the people who were killed or injured in the crash.
"He had a great family," said Houghton. "He was a loving and giving guy. This is something that emotionally we are all contending with."
