Glen de Vries Killed in Plane Accident
Glen de Vries, who just flew to space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard-18 four weeks ago, was killed in the crash of a private airplane in New Jersey today. He was 49.
The founder of Medidata Solutions, de Vries was one of four passengers on the October 13 flight along with another wealthy entrepreneur, Chris Boshuizen, Blue Origin’s own Audrey Powers, and actor William Shatner.
The Associated Press reports that de Vries and Thomas P. Fischer were aboard the Cessna 172 that crashed in Hampton Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. Fischer owned a family-run flight school and was its head pilot, according to the AP.
The accident is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
In a statement, Blue Origin said they are “devastated” by the news.
We are devastated to hear of the sudden passing of Glen de Vries. He brought so much life and energy to the entire Blue Origin team and to his fellow crewmates. His passion for aviation, his charitable work, and his dedication to his craft will long be revered and admired. pic.twitter.com/1hwnjntTVs
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) November 12, 2021
Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, who greeted de Vries and the others after landing, tweeted his own condolences, as did Chris Boshuizen.
(2/2) Our deepest sympathies are with his partner, Leah, and all his loved ones. The world lost you too soon, Glen.
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) November 12, 2021
I am saddened to learn of the passing of fellow space explorer Glen de Vries. I take some small consolation in knowing he fulfilled his life-long dream, and lived his life to the fullest. My thoughts go out to his family, friends, and partner Leah. Glen will be dearly missed. pic.twitter.com/0j8iu13g1h
— Chris Boshuizen (@cboshuizen) November 12, 2021
A Blue Origin biography of de Vries says that he was an instrument-rated pilot himself. Medidata Solutions is “the world’s most used clinical research platform” and has “powered over 25,000 clinical trials with more than seven million patients in every therapeutic areas, from vaccines to cancers and rare diseases.” He was Vice Chair of Life Sciences and Healthcare at Dassault Systems and a Trustee of Carngie Mellon University.
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