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Kentucky

Mark Pope sends condolences in response to Louisville UPS plane crash

FaceProfileby: Thomas Goldkamp2 hours ago
Kentucky men's basketball head coach Mark Pope before the game against No.1 Auburn Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky March 1, 2025. © Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Kentucky men's basketball head coach Mark Pope before the game against No.1 Auburn Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky March 1, 2025. © Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In the wake of a tragic plane crash in Louisville that has claimed the lives of 12 people, Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope offered his condolences. Before speaking to reporters following a 77-51 win over Nicholls on Tuesday night, Pope took a minute to share a heartfelt message for those lost.

He opened up, noting Kentucky is offering its thoughts to the victims. According to the Associated Press, 12 have now been confirmed dead.

“Well, first I’ll just note I kind of just followed a little bit this tragedy in Louisville,” Pope said. “It just is awful.

“So certainly our prayers go out to everybody involved in that and just, man, hopeful that we can have the best news possible and the best resolution to that. Just know that BBN is fully engaged in best wishes for everybody there.”

The death toll rose slowly after initial reports that the three people aboard the UPS cargo plane were killed in the plane crash. Federal officials have since confirmed that at least 12 have died, including a child.

So how did the plane crash, exactly? The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said finding a full cause could take more than a year.

But what is known is that a large fire developed on the left wing of the plane and the engine on that side later fell off. It was discovered near the front end of the eventual wreckage created by the plane crashing and then exploding.

The death toll could yet rise, unfortunately. The AP reported the following from the plane crash:

“Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced on the social platform X on Wednesday evening that the death toll had risen to 12, saying, ‘Please take a moment to hug your loved ones and check on your neighbors.’

The governor predicted that the death toll would rise, saying authorities were looking for a ‘handful of other people,’ but ‘we do not expect to find anyone else alive.’

Mark Little, chief of the Okolona Fire District in Louisville, said debris would have to be moved and searched, adding: ‘It will take us quite a while.'”