GREG Biffle’s grieving ex-wife Nicole, has made a gut-wrenching admission at the funeral for their daughter Emma, 14, who died in a horror plane crash.
In a letter she was too devastated to read herself, Nicole said she will always agonize over letting Emma fly that day despite the teen not feeling well.
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Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle and daughter Emma (14) died in the plane crash on December 18Credit: Getty
Biffle’s ex wife Nicole read heartwrenching letter for her daughter Emma during her memorialCredit: Splash
The family’s nightmare began on December 18, when Biffle’s aircraft went down minutes after takeoff from the Statesville, North Carolina, areaCredit: Reuters
Mourners packed a standing-room-only service Sunday afternoon, where the racing world turned out in force.
The performing arts center was overflowing with friends from the NASCAR community and families from Davidson Day, the private school Emma attended.
Nicole’s letter told of her anguish over the final hours before the flight, and the choice she made as her daughter, Emma Elizabeth Biffle, prepared to board.
She also wrote that she had bought tickets to Italy the night before the crash as a Christmas present for Emma
NASCAR’s month of tragedy from Greg Biffle’s death to Denny Hamlin’s fire
The family’s nightmare began on December 18, when Biffle’s aircraft went down minutes after takeoff from the Statesville, North Carolina, area.
The plane circled back as the group tried to return for an emergency landing, but it never made it.
Biffle was killed along with his wife, Cristina, their five-year-old son, Ryder, and Emma, plus three others on board.
More grieving is still ahead, with a public memorial planned for all seven people lost in the Biffle crash.
The tribute is set for January 16 at Bojangles Coliseum, a Charlotte venue that can be configured for more than 10,000 seats.
Emma’s obituary described her as a “bright light” with an infectious smile and said she had a “deep love for animals.”
Loved ones asked those wishing to honor her memory to support animal shelters or rescue organizations close to the family.
The family was traveling to celebrate Christmas with popular YouTuber Cleetus McFarland when disaster struck.
TRAGIC THEORY
NASCAR legend Kenny Wallace has shared his thoughts on what may have happened, stressing that it was only his theory.
He said, “I think the plane took off, I think they lost a motor, and then, I guess it started having a lot of drag on it.
“Yes, we know it should fly just perfectly with one motor.”
“I think it was just a tragic loss of life,” Wallace added.
“And that’s what I respectfully think would have happened.”
“Now, you respond right here, but you know, the landing gear was down, the flaps were down, and it didn’t have enough horsepower to get to the runway, and it was short.
“I mean, that’s what I think.”
Investigators have not released a cause, and the probe is ongoing.
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The loss has added to a bruising stretch for NASCAR with the new season only weeks away.
One of the jet’s black boxes has been transported to Washington, DC, for inspection.
Biffle was killed along with his wife, Cristina, their five-year-old son, Ryder, and Emma, plus three others on board
