Former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and popular Los Angeles disc jockey Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein are in critical condition in the Joseph Still Burn Center in Augusta, GA after their private Learjet skidded off the runway and crashed into an embankment. Four other passengers have been confimed dead including Barker’s assistant Chris Baker, and his bodyguard, Charles Still. The pilot, Sarah Lemmon, and co-pilot of the plane, James Bland, were also confirmed to be dead. Get the details after the jump.
An eye witness to the crash, William Owens, claimed that he saw the jet careen across Highway 320 in a huge ball of flame, and as he came up to the wreckage he saw two men lying on the road. "I didn't know what I had seen; it was maybe 800 feet in front of me, but as I approached it closer, though, I made out a fire. By then I was able to see the tail of the jet, and I recognized it as a jet. It's in flames, and the fuel is running across the road, and I had to cross the fuel to get to the two guys that seemed to have been dumped on the highway," he said. Owens said the two men were running around and pulling off clothing to put out the flames. He said he asked them whether anyone else was on board the plane, and they said four people were with them. "We turned to the jet to try and see if there was anything we could do, but immediately, there was nothing anyone could do," Owens said.
Both Barker and Goldstein are in critical condition with severe burns. Barker is said to be burned in his lower extremities and it’s been reported that Goldstein has extensive burns to his face and arms. Both men are expected to make a full recovery.
The Learjet, on its way to Van Nuys, CA, attempted to take off just before midnight and immediately began sparking as it went down the runway. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, it eventually crashed into an antenna before taking out several runway lights, went through a containment fence, and slid across the highway--crashing into an embankment.
Barker and Goldstein had just performed at a free outdoor concert in Columbia, SC. The airport has been closed pending an investigation. Built in 2006, the plane was relatively new.
Information from CNN and the Associated Press was used in this report.
