Friends, Families Reveal Names Of Other Victims

Identities of some of the 49 people onboard Continental Connection Flight 3407, who were killed when their plane crashed Thursday night about five miles from the runway at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) are starting to emerge... and among the victims were a human rights activist, and a widow who lost her husband in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center.

CNN reports Colgan Air, operator of the Bombardier Q400 regional turboprop, identified its flight crew as Pilot Capt. Marvin Renslow, First Officer Rebecca Shaw, and flight attendants Matilda Quintero and Donna Prisco. A fifth Colgan Air employee, Captain Joseph Zuffoletto, was jumpseating on the flight.

Friends, coworkers and family members have revealed the identities of several persons onboard the aircraft. Beverly Eckert, who lost her husband on 9/11, was also onboard the commuter flight from Newark. Eckert co-founded "Voices of September 11," an advocacy group for families of those lost in the attacks, as well as survivors. She was traveling to Buffalo to mark what would have been her husband Sean Rooney's 58th birthday.

Another victim was Alison Des Forges, senior advisor for the Africa chapter of Human Rights Watch. Des Forges, known for her work documenting the genocide in Rwanda, lived in Buffalo.

Other victims whose identities have become known include Susan Wehle, cantor of Temple Beth Am in Williamsville, NY. The Associated Press reports Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett, both members of jazz musician Chuck Mangione's band, were also on the accident flight.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.colganair.com