Father of 28-year-old pilot killed in D.C. crash speaks out
After learning his son was killed in the deadly midair crash, the father of 28-year-old Sam Lilley – one of two pilots on the American Airlines flight – shared an emotional post on Facebook, saying “it hurts so bad I can’t even cry myself to sleep.”
Tragedy struck the skies over Washington, D.C., on the evening of January 29, when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The devastating incident, which occurred around 9 p.m. local time, claimed the lives of all 60 passengers and four crew members on board the commercial flight. Three soldiers on the helicopter are also feared dead.
Timothy Lilley, a former military helicopter pilot, confirmed that his 28-year-old son, Sam Lilley, was one of two pilots on the American Airlines flight who died in the fatal midair collision.
“This is undoubtedly the worst day of my life,” Timothy told Fox 5.
The now grieving father explained that he shared a passion for flying with Sam, who started flight training in 2019. He verified that Sam was working with PSA Airlines, a regional group owned by American Airlines, for two years. Sam was also engaged to be married.
At the time of the crash, Timothy was in New York for work and hadn’t realized his son was on the flight: “Last night when I saw on Fox News there was a crash in DC, I really didn’t think there was any way that was my son,” Timothy said.
But when he didn’t hear from Sam, who frequently stayed in touch, Timothy knew the worst had happened.
‘Hurts so bad’
The next day, the proud but heartbroken dad shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook, expressing his profound grief.
“I was so proud when Sam became a pilot. Now it hurts so bad I can’t even cry myself to sleep. I know I’ll see him again but my heart is breaking,” he captions the post that includes an photo of Sam standing in front of an APT (Advanced Pilot Training) aircraft. “He was doing great in his career and his personal life. He was engaged to get married in the fall.”
He continues, “Sam was the First Officer on the flight that crashed in DC [January 29]. It is so devastating to lose someone that is loved so much.”
His post resonated deeply, garnering an outpouring of support from family, friends, and even strangers who were moved by his loss.
“My heart goes out to you Tim,” shares one user. Another offering support to Sam’s father and mother, Sheri, writes, “I have no words. My heart aches for you and Sheri and the whole family.”
‘Grave error’
A third, praising Sam as a pilot, pens, “My heart breaks for you and your family. Knowing he was your son, I would have boarded any plane he was in command of and not thought twice about it. I wish you peace and comfort in the upcoming days and weeks.”
But Timothy, who served 20 years as an army helicopter pilot, is finding little peace in what happened.
Turning to his experience, Timothy tells Fox 5: “In the ’90s, I used to fly in and out of the Pentagon regularly, and I can tell you if you are flying on the route over the Potomac and wearing night vision goggles, it’s going to be very hard to see that plane. If you’re not wearing the goggles, then you might have a chance,” he explained.
“From what I can see, those guys turned right into the jet,” Timothy said of the U.S. Army Black Hawk. “I think the PSA jet was doing everything right. The Army pilot made a grave error. It hurts me because those are my brothers, and now my son is dead,” Timothy said.
The National Transportation Safety Board is now leading an investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, according to People.
Our thoughts go out to those who lost loved ones in this tragic crash. Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story with others so we can all send our very best wishes to those who are grieving right now.
A camel bit off its owner’s head after being left tied up in the hot sun all day.
Left tied up in the scorching heat all day, the camel attacked and killed its owner by biting off their head.
An Indian man who left his camel tied up in the heat all day lost his life because of it.
When he tried to untie the camel, it became aggressive, attacking him and biting off his head.
“The camel grabbed him by the neck, threw him to the ground, bit his body, and severed his head,” villager Thakara Ram told The Times of India.
It took around six hours and 25 people to finally control the camel.
Some villagers in Rajasthan said the camel had attacked the man, Urjaram, before.
Camels don’t usually attack people very often.
Camel attacks can be extremely violent and unexpected.
In January last year, a camel at a breeding farm in Texas killed two people by crushing them.
The previous fall, an American man who owned an animal sanctuary in Mexico was killed by a camel. It bit and kicked him, then sat on him until he suffocated.
Rescuers had to tie the camel to a truck to pull it away from the body. Some believe the camel was upset because it didn’t get its daily Coca-Cola that day.
A few months earlier, a similar attack happened in California when a camel attacked an elderly man the same way. However, he survived.
Camels are usually friendly animals that like to sniff and even play with people’s hair.
However, male camels can be aggressive and sometimes fight with females.
Even though they have big teeth, camels raised in captivity are usually bred to avoid biting.
Camels tend to kick in a circular motion, but experts say they rarely kick people.
Pop icon Justin Bieber, now 30, has captivated millions of fans worldwide for over a decade. But lately, his latest photos have sparked serious concern among his devoted followers.
Once the ultimate teenage heartthrob, Bieber’s recent appearance has left many asking — what’s really going on?Disheveled look
Pop sensation Justin Bieber has always been known for his ever-changing looks, but his latest public appearances have left fans more worried than entertained. The 30-year-old singer has been spotted looking noticeably pale and gaunt, often dressed in oversized, shabby clothing, fueling speculation about his well-being.
What’s most unsettling for his loyal supporters is that this should be a joyful chapter in Bieber’s life — he recently became a father to baby Jack Blues, born in August 2024.
Yet, instead of exuding the glow of new parenthood, Bieber’s disheveled look has sparked concern, marking a stark contrast from his previous public image.
Bieber first shot to fame as a teen heartthrob, rocking his signature side-swept fringe while repeating the word “baby” in a way that made the whole world sing along. As his career skyrocketed, his style evolved — transitioning from skate park casual to something clearly influenced by a professional stylist.
In recent years, his wardrobe choices have often been quirky and unpredictable, at times even bizarre — but mostly in a way that felt harmless, even amusing. Now, however, fans fear those days are long gone.
In recent months, several photos of Justin Bieber have surfaced, sparking concern among fans about his well-being. Many believe he hasn’t looked his best, and his latest public appearances have only fueled speculation.
Wandering the streets of NYC in a bathrobe
Back in January, Justin was seen leaving a New York City studio alone, looking visibly exhausted. While he’s always been a fan of oversized clothing, his fashion choices took an unexpected turn this week when he was spotted wandering the streets of NYC in a bathrobe and stained Ugg boots.
The latest images have left fans genuinely concerned for his well-being.
In response to the photos, one person commented that it appeared he was going through a “difficult time,” while another fan noted that he looked like he was “struggling.” Some even speculated that he might be “suffering,” further fueling worries among his followers.
Justin Bieber is seen on February 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)
His latest appearances suggest something deeper may be going on, and the internet is buzzing with speculation. Is it just an experimental fashion phase? Exhaustion from fatherhood? Or is there something more serious behind Bieber’s drastic change?
Since Justin Bieber appeared to be his usual self in January 2024, sharing selfies on Instagram that showcased a healthy appearance, fans have been left puzzled by his recent transformation.
P. Diddy mentored Bieber
As the year progressed, many noticed he appeared noticeably thinner and more downcast. This shift in his demeanor coincided with the mounting struggles surrounding Diddy’s situation, which worsened over time, culminating in his arrest in September 2024. Fans can’t help but wonder if these events may have had an impact on Bieber’s well-being, prompting a wave of concern from his loyal followers.
Music mogul Diddy, readers will surely already know, is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. According to a troublesome claim made by RadarOnline, Bieber is “haunted” by his past.
Recently, fans voiced concerns when Justin Bieber was seen looking fatigued and gaunt during a dinner outing with his wife, Hailey. The sighting sparked worries, and RadarOnline points out that this was around the same time old clips of Bieber and Diddy resurfaced online.
Prince Williams/FilmMagic
In one particularly notable clip, Diddy, who had mentored Bieber in his early years, proudly reminisced about spending “48 hours” with Bieber when he was just 15 years old. The re-emergence of these videos only seemed to intensify the growing concern for the pop star’s well-being.
“He’s having 48 hours with Diddy. What we’re doing, we can’t really disclose. But it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream … we’re gonna go full crazy,” he said.
Now sources are suggesting that Bieber’s links to Diddy may be adversely affecting the Baby singer. One individual, said to have worked in Bieber’s team for years, told PageSix: “Do I believe he was involved in some stupid s—? Yeah.
“He was a teenager. He was the biggest pop star in the world. Everyone was worried about him, and we didn’t know if he would survive it.
“People took advantage of everything he did.”
While celebrities like Justin Bieber live their lives in the public eye, it’s easy to forget that they too are human, facing their own challenges behind the glam and flashing cameras.
Paparazzi and constant media attention can often overshadow the fact that, at the end of the day, they deserve the same kindness and understanding as anyone else. As fans, it’s important to remember the pressures that come with fame and offer support where we can — because, like all of us, they need it too.
Stock imagine of man with sore kidneys. Credit / Shutterstock
Your kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste, balancing fluids, and keeping your body healthy.
However, kidney disease often develops silently, with symptoms appearing only in later stages. Recognizing the early warning signs can help you take action before serious complications arise.
1. Fatigue and Low Energy
When your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, toxins build up in your bloodstream, leading to persistent tiredness, weakness, and trouble concentrating. Anemia, which often accompanies kidney disease, can also leave you feeling drained.
2. Trouble Sleeping
A buildup of waste in the blood can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Additionally, people with kidney disease may suffer from sleep apnea, which disrupts breathing throughout the night and leads to poor rest, the National Kidney Foundation says.
3. Dry, Itchy Skin
Healthy kidneys regulate minerals and nutrients in your body. When they struggle to do their job, imbalances can cause dry, itchy skin, signaling underlying bone and mineral disorders related to kidney disease.
4. Frequent Urination
Feeling the urge to urinate more often, especially at night, can be a sign of issues. When the kidney filters are damaged, they can cause increased urine production, which may indicate early kidney disease.
5. Blood in Urine
Healthy kidneys filter waste while keeping essential blood cells in your body. If you notice blood in your urine, it could signal disease, infections, or even kidney stones. Never ignore this symptom.
6. Foamy Urine
Excessive bubbles or foam in your urine, similar to what you see when scrambling eggs, may indicate the presence of protein.
Protein leakage in urine is a sign that your kidneys aren’t filtering properly.
7. Swelling in the Feet and Ankles
When kidneys don’t remove excess sodium efficiently, fluid retention can occur, leading to swelling in your feet, ankles, and even hands. This is a common symptom of kidney disease and should be checked by a doctor.
8. Poor Appetite
A loss of appetite may seem minor, but it can be an early sign of kidney disease due to the buildup of toxins in the body. Nausea and an altered sense of taste often accompany this symptom.
9. Muscle Cramps
Electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle cramps. Low calcium and imbalanced phosphorus levels may contribute to this uncomfortable condition.
10. Puffiness Around the Eyes
Persistent puffiness around the eyes can indicate protein leakage in urine, which suggests your kidneys may not be properly filtering waste. This can be an early sign of damage.
When to See a Doctor
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially more than one at a time, consult a healthcare professional. Early detection of problems can prevent further damage and improve your overall health.
Maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can help protect you in the long run.