1. This was going to be the time of their lives.
This was going to be their most important and memorable experience.

2. The crash site was a scene of total destruction.
The place where the plane crashed was completely covered with wreckage.

3. The crash stunned skaters and figure skating fans around the globe.
The crash shocked figure skaters and their fans everywhere in the world.

4. All that remained as rescuers combed through the wreckage were three pairs of melted skates dangling from one of the wings.
When rescue workers carefully looked through the wreckage, the only things they found (to remind them of the skaters) were three pairs of melted skates suspended from one of the wings.