2 Russian crash survivors still critical

• Tweet

YAROSLAVL, Russia, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The two survivors of a plane crash that killed virtually an entire Russian hockey team remained in critical condition Friday, a government spokesman said.

Russian player Alexander Galimov and Alexander Sizov, a member of the Yak-42 aircraft crew, survived the Wednesday crash that killed 43 people.

Galimov suffered burns over 90 percent of his body but managed to walk away from the wreckage, RIA Novosti reported.

The plane carrying members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team was headed to a game in Minsk, Belarus, when it crashed and burned shortly after takeoff.

Russian aviation officials had not determined the cause of the crash and said an investigation could take as long as a week.

Among the victims of the crash was the team's new coach, Brad McCrimmon, a former NHL defenseman.

Others killed included former NHL players Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei, Karel Rachunek, Josef Vasicek, Karlis Skrastins and Alexander Vasyunov.

International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel said the crash marked "the darkest day in the history of our sport."