JET TRAGEDYÂ
Colombian music star Yeison Jimenez, 34, among six killed in plane crash hours before concert after chilling final post
The singer had recently revealed he had a recurring dream that he would die on a plane
A COLOMBIAN singer has been killed alongside his crew in a horror plane crash.
Yeison Jimenez, 34, was on his way to a concert on Saturday night when the plane crashed moments after take-off and burst into flames.
Yeison Jimenez pictured at Premio Lo Nuestro has died in a plane crashCredit: AP
Jimenez had been on his way to Medellin where he was due to performCredit: Getty
The plane crashed shortly after take-off and burst into flames – killing all six people on boardCredit: X/NoticiasUno
Before boarding, Yeison had written in an Instagram post: “Always humble, because what God gives you he can also take away.”
The pilot, the co-pilot and four passengers, including Yeison, all died in the crash.
His photographer Weisman Mora, who published a poignant last video of them on the plane as it taxied down the runway, has also been named as one of the victims.
They were heading towards the city of Medellin where Yeison was due to perform.
The fatal crash happened just after 4pm local time yesterday afternoon – two hours after Yeison and three members of his team were pictured buying cheese in a shop near the airport where the singer posed for selfies with staff.
Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority said: “Following the arrival of emergency services and the National Police at the crash site, the deaths of all six occupants of the aircraft have been confirmed.
“Among the victims is the renowned popular music artist Yeison Jimenez.”
Yeison, a singer-songwriter who started performing at the age of seven, revealed in a podcast interview before the tragedy that claimed his life, that he had a recurring dream he was going to die in an air crash.
The plane belonged to his firm YJ Company SAS.
He revealed to fans he had bought it in August 2022 as his popularity and wealth boomed.
Yeison’s stepdaughter Camila Jimenez, who he adopted as his own after meeting partner and mum of his other two children Sonia Restrepo, paid tribute to him.
She wrote on Instagram: “I love you dad. You don’t know how much it hurts me to see your videos and for you not to be here.”
Fans have paid tribute on social media today.
One said: “God have you in his glory. Rest in peace. You were a great man, a brilliant artist and a loving father. I still can’t believe what’s happened.”
Naming all six victims, the regional government of Boyaca, said: “We regret the tragic accident that claimed the life of the well-known singer Yeison Jimenez, one of the most representative figures of Colombian popular music.
“We also regret the deaths of the other victims of the accident, members of his team and crew.
The singer’s photographer had posted video footage from inside the plane minutes before the tragedyCredit: Instagram
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash, but it was too late for the pilot and passengersCredit: X/NoticiasUno
The singer had recently revealed he had premonitions that he would die in a plane crashCredit: Getty
“They were Captain Hernando Torres, Juan Manuel Rodriguez, Oscar Marin, Jefferson Osorio and Weisman Mora.
“United in prayer we stand in solidarity.
“May God give the families, loved ones and fans faith, strength and hope at these difficult moments.”
Yeison Jimenez, full name Yeison Orlando Jimenez Galeano, was one of the most well-known artists of so-called “musica popular” – often used to refer to a folk music genre which originated in the north-west part of Colombia in the 1930s and 1940s.
He was one of the artists credited with revitalising the genre, publishing eight albums and writing 70 songs in his lifetime.
