According to an insider, Vince Neil’s birthday party kept him safe from the fatal plane crash.
Neil’s birthday party in Florida might have saved his life. It’s why he wasn’t on the private jet that crashed and killed his longtime pilot. Vince’s close friend, Lance Graves, told TMZ that Vince was in Florida celebrating his 64th birthday with friends before the crash happened in Arizona on Monday.
Vince’s girlfriend, Rain, was on the flight with a friend when it crashed into a parked jet at Scottsdale Airport, killing Vince’s pilot. Rain had to be in Arizona for a horse event, but Vince didn’t need to be there until Thursday, so he stayed in Florida to enjoy the beach.
Vince’s girlfriend, Rain, broke 5 ribs in the crash. She was with a friend who was also injured, and the plane’s co-pilot got hurt too. Vince’s friend said Rain won’t compete in the barrel racing event because she needs time to heal physically and emotionally. They will give her the time she needs to recover.
Mötley Crüe’s manager said Vince feels for the pilot’s family and the band is thinking of ways to help. Vince’s friend said the pilot, a 78-year-old Marine veteran, flew with Vince for many years, and Vince hired him after he retired from commercial airlines to support him.
Mötley Crüe previously said in a statement, “Earlier today a private plane owned by Vince Neil was involved in a crash near Scottsdale, AZ. The pilot was tragically killed; the co-pilot and other passengers were taken to local hospitals. Vince was not on the plane.”
“Vince’s girlfriend and her friend suffered injuries, albeit not life threatening. While details are still emerging, our hearts go out to both the pilot who lost his life and the passengers who suffered injuries. Motley Crue will announce a way to help support the family of the deceased pilot – stand by for an announcement very soon,” the band added.
Rain was on a Learjet 35A that left Austin but had a landing gear failure. The jet then crashed into a parked Gulfstream aircraft on the airfield.
