First victims identified in WWII-era plane crash in Connecticut

The investigation is continuing Thursday after a World War II-era plane crashed in a fireball as it attempted to land Wednesday morning in Connecticut, leaving seven people dead and seven others hurt.

Normal operations have resumed at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks one day after the horrific crash, as more information begins to emerge about the victims.

There were 13 people on board, 10 passengers and three crew. Additionally, one person on the ground in the maintenance facility was injured.

Robert Riddell, 59, an insurance analyst from East Granby, Connecticut, was the first person publicly identified as a crash fatality. His wife Debra confirmed his death and said they were planning on celebrating their wedding anniversary in a few weeks.

"Rob was the best person I've ever known," she said in a statement. "He was my soulmate. I will miss him beyond words can ever express. He loved his children more than anyone could know, and the new grandson was the apple of his eye. He embraced my daughter and grandchildren and loved them as his own. He was brilliant, loving, funny, reliable, compassionate and the best man I've ever known. The world lost an amazing person today. My heart goes out to the other people that lost loved ones but especially the people who survived this crash Thank you for your support and love."

State officials also identified 60-year-old Gary Mazzone as a victim. Mazzone, of East Windsor, was a history and military buff, according to his son, Daniel Mazzone. He didn't know of his father's plans to ride the B-17, he said, but knew why he would be interested.

"I think he just wanted to see what it was like to be in the back of a B-17," Daniel Mazzone said. "He loved World War II. He loved people who served this country in any capacity."

Read more:

Check out more Eyewitness News -

NEW HERE? –

Hi! We’re abc7NY, also known as Channel 7 on TV, home to Eyewitness News, New York’s Number 1 news. We hope you love us on YouTube as much as you do on television!

OUR SOCIAL MEDIA –

FACEBOOK:
TWITTER:
INSTAGRAM:


NEWS TIPS:
Online:
Phone: 917-260-7700
Email: abc7ny@abc.com

#abc7NY #localnews #nyc

plane,crash,bradley airport,collings foundation,b17,bradley international airport,b17 bomber,b-17,b17 crash,b-17 crash,hartford news,wings of freedom tour,plane crash,world war 2 plane crash,wwii plane crash,plane crash in hartford,Eyewitness News,eyewitness news,WABC-TV,wabc,abc7,abc7ny,channel 7,channel 7 news,