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Virginia balloon crash looms over University of Richmond's undergraduate commencement

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This photo provided by Nancy Johnson shows what authorities say is a hot-air balloon that was believed to have caught fire and crashed in Virginia, Friday, May 9, 2014. Virginia State Police received calls of the crash shortly before 8 p.m., police spokeswoman Corinne Geller told a news conference. Geller said a pilot and two passengers were believed to be on board, and that police believe it was the gondola that caught fire. (AP Photo/Nancy Johnson) (The Associated Press)

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Heidi Moats answers reporters' questions during a news conference concerning a hot air balloon accident in Doswell, Va., Saturday, May 10, 2014. A second body was recovered Saturday from the crash of the hot air balloon carrying three that drifted into a power line and burst into flames Friday night in front of hundreds of horrified spectators. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) (The Associated Press)

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Heidi Moats, answers reporters' questions during a news conference concerning a hot air balloon accident in Doswell, Va., Saturday, May 10, 2014. A second body was recovered Saturday from the crash of the hot air balloon carrying three that drifted into a power line and burst into flames Friday night in front of hundreds of horrified spectators. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) (The Associated Press)

The University of Richmond community prepares for graduation with heavy hearts after two athletic staff members were aboard a hot air balloon in a fiery crash in Virginia.

Undergraduate commencement was scheduled for the afternoon. Meanwhile, investigators were planning to resume their efforts to scour the woods and fields surrounding the site of Friday's balloon crash for the remains of the third person aboard the balloon. Two bodies have already been found.

University administrators said in a news release that associate head coach Ginny Doyle and director of basketball operations Natalie Lewis were two of the three people aboard the balloon that crashed Friday night. Investigators haven't said which bodies were found.

Athletic director Keith Gill says words can't express the community's sorrow.