cylinders had been damaged slightly. The aircraft had gone through many owners before being purchased by the L&J In 1976 the band dealt with a serious car accident, involving Collins and Rossington. What was the cause of James Van Zant's death? The death of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gains of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd was a massive blow to many. Gary Rossington, one of the bands guitar players, had suffered two broken arms, a broken leg, a punctured stomach and liver. Without wanting to cause alarm he thought to himself that maybe the pilots were trying to transfer fuel from one engine to another. Ronnie Van Zant was asleep on the floor. Runway 15 is The remaining band members sustained serious injuries. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Marc Frank recalled hearing both engines on the plane then within a matter of minutes, just air passing over the cabin. The aircraft crashed The tail section broke off, the cockpit broke off and buckled underneath, then both wings broke off. Add to your scrapbook. Ronnie Van Zant who hails from Lynyrd Skynyrd is the father of Tammy who is his oldest daughter. Shoes bothered Ronnie anyway. The flight was allowed to continue its climb to For more than a year, she bravely fought a rare form of cancer - she was stubborn, remember. Mote hopped into his pick-up to get back to his house, told his wife to get back in the house, then proceeded to grab his gun and stand guard. Dean Kilpatrick, the bands manager, lay dead and covered in blood. But the band members didnt like it especially since one of the engines had caught on fire on October 18, at 12,000 feet. In that way, Ronnie Van Zant lives on. For members Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, the weight of what happened seemed to push down on them the most. The fuselage continued forward on that heading and came to rest about 140 RIP Ronnie, Cassie, Dean, and Steve. 320 at 6kts. Evidence obtained from the fuel quantity gages indicates that both fuel tanks were Two of these passengers were hospitalized over 48 hours and were, therefore, For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, he was 28 years old. For a detailed account of the accident, and information and By 1970, the band was going by the spelling Lynyrd Skynyrd.. All of the fuel crossfeed and fuel dump valves were in the closed position. The aircraft had crashed in heavily wooded terrain, during twilight hours at an elevation of 310 feet and at latitude 310 04' 19" Photo: hu.wikipedia.com. The route of flight was to be V20 Electric City, direct Atlanta, Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Tammy Van Zant (241555551)? Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Standing: Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle. Artimus Pyle and Gary Rossington are the only two members alive today from the crash. He said, Im not gonna get on it because its not right. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. However, Wilkeson's death left Lynyrd Skynyrd with only two long-time band members. Gene Odom, Lynyrd Skynyrds bodyguard, recalls: They took my watch, my wallet, my ring, and my money as I lay bleeding on the ground. Thats when most of the sober members of the band saw that the right propeller was no longer working. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. current regulations and procedures and was not equipped with either a flight data or cockpit voice recorder, nor were they required. But triumph turned to tragedy on that October night when the bands plane ran into engine trouble over Mississippi. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. The cockpit, tail, and wings completely ripped apart and the remaining cab lay desolate, in the shape of an L. The plane was simply not built well enough to even remotely handle the impact from the pine trees at roughly 90 mph. Leon Wilkeson and Billy Powell would both go on to pursue other musical ventures and both have a hand in several Lynyrd Skynyrd re-boots. And, then, the left engine did, too. But sadly when he drank, which was quite often, his demeanor and character qualities changed drastically. The Tragic Death Of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant. She was sick and would meet up with the band in Arkansas to continue the tour. The scene of the plane crash that killed Ronnie Van Zant and several other passengers on board. The wreckage Many thought this to be because he was horribly disfigured or even decapitated during the 1977 plane crash. Collins drove the car into a tree because he was drunk and stoned on Quaaludes. Band members Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Artimus Pyle, and Leslie Hawkings, tour manager Ron Eckerman and several road crew faced serious injuries. The song "Freebird" is now played as a musical tribute in Ronnie's memory. It was rumored that it was Ed Kings (original guitar player for Lynyrd Skynyrd) wife but it was not confirmed. Airlines on December 30, 1948 and registered NC8401H. In this video you will see the true story behind the tragic passing of Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, and Steve Gaines on October 20, 1977. Youve got to have a good arm to play outfield.. Some blame it on the planes age and poor design, weighing in on its smaller fuselage and compact wingspan. empty at the time of impact. at the time of the accident. 2 brothers: Johnny Van Zant and Donnie Van Zant. A system error has occurred. Burns was bruised, but his pride wasnt, and the three started jamming together. lights were on the night of the accident. Ronnie Van Zant enjoying a stog before a show. Lynyrd Skynyrd stops for a shot in 1973. In the year 2009, she launched Freebird Child, to pay tribute to her American artist. The decent angle through the trees was about 5 degrees initially. In 1972, Al Kooper, who was a part of the band Blood, Sweat &Tears, discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd at one of their concerts. Upon their return, the band consisted of the original pre-crash band membersRossington, Powell, Wilkeson, and Pyle. Most passengers assumed the crash position after being told by a 2007) that Van Zant's cause of death was trauma to the head caused by . Browse 365 ronnie van zant stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. After the crash, the band took a ten-year hiatus, only to return in 1987. Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1975, from left to right: Ed King, Leon Wilkeson, Artimus Pyle, Billy Powell, Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant, and Gary Rossington. Both engines cut out at 4,500 feet. The uniqueness that was her life stretched to her death. "Well, I heard Mister Young sing about herWell, I heard ol' Neil put her downWell, I hope Neil Young will rememberA Southern man don't need him around anyhow. Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, The band relaxed, blasting music, playing poker, and enjoying the view. Failed to report flower. At 1845:47 Become a member. The aircraft itself was definitely past its prime over 30 years old, with far too many miles on it. Center replied, "Roger, understand you're out of Lynyrd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock & Roll In 1964, the band formed under the name of My Backyard with Ronnie Van Zant as the vocalist, Gary Rossington and Allen Collins on guitar, bassist Larry Junstrom, and Bob Burns on drums. center wing and engine nacelles were twisted to the left of the forward fuselage. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Their farewell tour was completed in 2019, however, the band members have been working on a new album which will . Gene Odom had been thrown from the plane and broke his neck, his skin badly burned and one eye blinded by phosphorus from a de-icing flare that had been aboard. confirm that a turn was initiated until 1844:12. All reality had been broken and none of the surviving members would ever be the same or view life the same again. All surviving passengers were hospitalized. Toxicological examination of the flight crew disclosed no evidence of drugs, alcohol or elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the blood. teacher because he would get the boys with long hair in trouble at school. Ronnie Van Zant was just more than the bands main songwriter, frontman, and singer. Burns, for his part, recalled that Van Zants line drive caught me behind the shoulder blades and took out every breath I ever had my whole life.. The carburetor fuel strainers of both engines were free of contamination; no entrapped The album cover for Lynyrd Skynyrds fifth album, which featured flames and Ronnie Van Zant with his eyes closed, was later changed because it was considered too evocative of the plane crash. The left horizontal stabilizer and left outboard wing panel also struck trees separated along the wreckage path. Birthday: January 15, 1948. Parents. They would fly from Greenville, South Carolina, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Photo: thetv.info. They soon recruited guitarist Allen Collins and, in 1964, dubbed their band My Backyard. My Backyard became Wildcats, the Sons of Satan, Conqueror Worm, the Pretty Ones, and the One Percent. Ronnie Van Zant was just more than the band's main songwriter, frontman, and singer. do need to get close to McComb as straight and good as we can get, sir!". After claiming his deceased son, Lacy Van Zant went to visit the other members of the band at the hospital. While on the plane, they received a notice . Fueled by drugs, ambition, and the frequent outbreak of violence, Lynyrd Skynyrd started to claw its way to the top. communication between N55VM and Houston Center. At 5:02 p.m., the plane took off in Greenville. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. teacher Leonard Skinner at their high school. receipts from the servicing facilities. However, other sections, particularly the cockpit area, sustained massive impact deformation. Small and cramped, it still felt better than lift-off of the Convair CV-240. Date of Death: October 20, 1977. evidence of a combustion chamber malfunction. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. His wife Zohra often performed with him. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. From left to right: Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant, And Gary Rossington. Learn more about merges. Ronnie Van Zant was just more than the band's main songwriter, frontman, and singer. That's it, folks. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. was of a general nature, such as an ignition or induction problem, and was not a major mechanical failure. Mote recalls the first thing he saw was a bloody hand sticking out from the wreckage. Death 11 Jul 2022 (aged 54) Burial. The pilot was also given a weather briefing. Van Zant was buried in Jacksonville, Florida, with his . prescribed limits. Gary Rossington also remembered that Allen Collins didnt want to get on board, telling the Orlando Sentinel, [Collins] didnt want to get on that plane. The crew operated the aircraft for an indeterminate amount of time before the accident with the right engine's mixture Oops, something didn't work. steepened after the aircraft hit the second tree and continued the steeper angle until it hit the ground. Allen Collins, another guitar player for the group, had cracked two vertebrae, and the cut to his right arm was so severe, that it almost required amputation. The years after the crash would be difficult in its own right for surviving members, most of which would experience tragedy and early death themselves. Willing to lend a hand and stick by his bandmates, he was hard to beat when standing by your side. It ended up inspiring the song That Smell.. Then when he was still 29, he was killed in a brutal plane crash in the Mississippi woods. I never thought I would be in Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Van Zant told USA Today. engines ignition system were so badly damaged by impact that engine to distributor timing could not be determined. An interview with a plane crash survivor .. Pyle did confirm (from Pyles interview on the The Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, Feb. 12, 2007) that Van Zants cause of death was trauma to the head caused by equipment, such as Betamax tapes and Trinitrons, flying forward in the planes cabin. But drummer Artimus Pyle remembered Van Zant retrieving a pillow from the back of the plane and shaking his hand. He was a singer, best known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist and a co-founder of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. There was no fire after impact because little fuel remained in the aircraft's fuel system. Ronnie Van Zant died on impact from blunt trauma to the head. They recorded their first self-titled studio album and were joined by Ed King when Wilkeson temporarily left the band due to his nervousness over fame. N55VM was purchased by the L&J Company in April 1977. As History relates, the plane in question had actually been turned down by Aerosmith, who had concerns about the plane's crew. The rest of the group had no idea at the time that they would never see the face of Ronnie again. Especially Artimus, who had three broken ribs and multiple large cuts. In addition, the NTSB believes that the pilot was not prudent when he continued the flight with a known engine In an instant, hope seemed to disappear as the call came and news flashed . That was the last recorded that the holder shall wear correcting lenses or glasses while exercising the privileges of his airman's certificate. were within I dont know who you think we are but we were on a plane and the plane crashed out there on the other side of that cow pasture. Mote instantly connected the dots to the sound he heard earlier and the men that lay before him. Contributing to the fuel exhaustion were inadequate flight planning and an engine malfunction Rudge chartered three planes for loved ones to identify the bodies. According to the best estimates, the aircraft should have had about 207 gallons of fuel on board at the time of the accident. Allen Collins was at the genesis of Lynyrd Skynyrd when he joined lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and fellow guitarist Gary Rossington as long ago as 1964 to form a high school band in Jacksonville . Pilots Walter McCreary and William Gray were fully aware of a fuel shortage before the flight took off. "Born in the Bayou " 'Lynyrd Skynyrd', one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed Southern Rock groups of the 1970's, was founded in the mid-1960s when five friends - singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Gary Rossington, guitarist Allen Collins, bassist Leon Wilkeson, and drummer Bob Burns - formed at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida, initially as the group . You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Ronnie Van Zant, a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away at the age of 29 in an aircraft crash. The whole scene tore him apart. The reason is that just a few short days before some of the band members had reported seeing sparks a large as 10ft shooting out of the right engine. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Vandals broke into tombs containing the remains of Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines early Thursday morning in Orange Park, Fla., about 12 miles south of . He was 59. However, A Look Behind the Death of Lynyrd Skynyrds Ronnie Van Zant, Kane Brown Set to Join Diverse Cast on Steve Aokis New LP, Behind the Meaning of the Brian Wilson-Written Beach Boys Classic God Only Knows, Follow American Songwriter for More Breaking News, Behind the Death and Legacy of Elvis Presley, Behind the Untimely Death and Legacy of Jazz Pioneer Billie Holiday, The Death of John Lennon: A Look Inside Lennons Final Day, Wynonna Judd Concludes The Judds Final Tour with Tribute to Mother Naomi JuddIts Done, Mama, Behind the Meaning of the Spirited Song Dont Do Me Like That by Tom Petty, Dropkick Murphys Releasing Second Album of Woody Guthrie Lyrics, 7 Best DJ Headphones for Beginners of 2023, American Songwriter: a Savage Ventures Brand. A costly mistake at 9,000ft or so. His wife, Judy, remembered that Ronnie once said he did not wish to have people "gawking" at his body . For almost two hours, they sailed through the sky. On October 20, 1977 at 17:02 local, the flight had departed Greenville Downtown Airport for Baton Rouge, LA. Assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick also died on impact, his body being pierced by a piece of the plane. Resend Activation Email. and co-pilot. We all thought it looked cool." Gary Rossington. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Most Of The Band Did Not Want To Board The Plane, But Band Leader Ronnie Van Zant Overruled And forced Them To Go. The lead singer of the band Ronnie Van Zant, vocalist and guitarist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassier Gaines, and the managing crew including assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, died in the crash. Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Steve Gaines, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson . Two of them were crew members, pilot Walter McReary and co-pilot William Gray, the rest were band members and roadies. He belonged to a wealthy oil family and his father worked as a corporate lawyer. When he was sober, he was a fair and kind person. The propulsion system was operating and was producing power until fuel was Leon WIlkeson (left) and road manager, Dean Kilpatrick. Winnie Litchfield The pilots were still in their seats, but were laying upside down in nearby trees. photos of the band, visit the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute. The band regularly has different people sit in and play shows with them like Warren Haynes and Dicky Betts. Hall of Fame in 2006. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the probable cause of this accident was fuel exhaustion and total Why Gustavo Gaviria May Have Been The Real Brains Behind The Medelln Cartel, Wild Elephant Tramples Woman To Death In India Then Returns To Her Funeral To Attack Her Corpse, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Photo: Pinterest. The reason behind this? "Sweet Home Alabama" and the concert staple "Freebird" came from those heady years, as did the call to bigger and better things, like national tours. had been in effect and been issued. distribution was on a magnetic heading of 120 degrees. Lynyrd Skynyrd was a band with deep roots in the south Jacksonville, Florida, specifically, where they came together in the mid-1960s, reports the BBC youthful buddies who named their group after a PE teacher they shared. The aircraft was owned by the L&J Company of Addision, TX and the flight crew was On October 20, 1977, the L&J Company Convair 240 registration (N55VM) operated as a charter flight to transport the Lynyrd Skynyrd flight planning and an engine malfunction of undetermined nature in the engine which resulted in higher than normal fuel consumption. the post impact condition of the ignition system could not be determined from the evidence available. When Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant died in a plane crash at the age of 29, music fans were shocked and saddened, but the accident seemed to make good on dark premonitions the singer had been sharing for years. Sorry! Band members Artimus Pyle and Billy Powell entered the cockpit to get an idea of what was happening. Published Apr 7, 2016. Ronnie, Pyle said, knew that he was going to die.. Lynyrd Skynyrd was a band with deep roots in the south Jacksonville, Florida, specifically, where they came together in the mid-1960s, reports the BBC youthful buddies who named their group after a PE teacher they shared. Tom Hill/Getty Images Ronnie Van Zant, a little over a year before the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash that killed him and several members of his band. feet from the point of initial impact. Powell's version of events has been discounted by both Artimus Pyle and Judy Van Zant Jenness, who posted the autopsy reports on the band's website in early 1998 in order to set the record straight. Tammy Van Zant was born on the 29th of July 1967 in Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America, and was fifty-four years old in 2022. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. He also held an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate #1804920, dated September 12, 1977 with type ratings in the I told him that it was the strongest thing I had seen a man do.. Ronnie Van Zant was the famed frontman of the group, but he also had the eerie gift of foresight. control in the auto rich position. at Greenville, the aircraft had been refueled with 400 gallons of 100 octane low lead fuel. The aircraft was manufactured in 1948 and originally delivered to Western The early 70s brought the group success in the South. Unrivaled Mac notes apps for fuss-free note-taking, 6 Actionable Tips for Improving Your Websites SEO, Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes. On October 20, 1977, a Convair CV-240 passenger aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed in a wooded area near Gillsburg, Mississippi, United States.Chartered by the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from L & J Company of Addison, Texas, it was flying from Greenville, South Carolina, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, crashing near its destination.. Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist and founding member Ronnie Van Zant . Lets dive into the history of Lynyrd Skynyrd. direct La Grango, direct Hattiesburg V222 McComb, V194 direct Baton Rouge. Allen Collins kept moving on, eventually getting together with Gary Rossington to form the Rossington Collins Band. Pyle did confirm (from Pyle's interview on the The Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, Feb. 12, 2007) that Van Zant's cause of death was trauma to the head caused by equipment, such as Betamax tapes and Trinitrons, flying forward in the plane's cabin. We have set your language to Founded as an obscure rock record label in 1992, Cleopatra Records recently acquired all U.S. rights to Morrissey biopic "Steven" with Jack Lowden as the legendary British singer and frontman of The . cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Wilkeson would eventually be found dead in a hotel room in 2001 at age 49. The aircraft was destroyed by impact; there was no fire. Ronnie knew that he was going to die. Van Zant died instantly of blunt force trauma to the head. The propeller blades were not extensively damaged. Shortly after take-off, the flight was Consequently, Among them were Lacy Van Zant, Ronnies Father, and .38 Specials Guitarist Dan Barnes. Early in 2009, she released Freebird Child, a remembrance of her late father. Rescue vehicles on the ground found no direct path in sight. After releasing their fifth album, Street Survivors, on Oct. 17, 1977, Ronnie Van Zant and his band seemed unstoppable. According to Powell, Cassie Gaines' final moments were particularly painful as she bled to death in his arms and that her throat had . Identification was completely hindered as there had been a poker game going on during the flight, and everyones wallets and purses had been strewn throughout the swamp. Skynyrd returned to the daily grind of one-nighters on the Southern bar circuit. Remembering Lynyrd Skynyrd's Deadly 1977 Plane Crash. Besides, who needs shoes when you're Ronnie Van Zant right? You can always change this later in your Account settings. Tremendous physical pain overwhelmed the group as did mental exhaustion. The fuselage separated forward of the bottom leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. His death was announced Sunday on the official Facebook account of .38 Special, . Up until that point, however, Van Zant and his bandmates seemed to be at the peak of greatness, releasing smash hits like Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama. And by the time Van Zant and the rest of Lynyrd Skynyrd boarded the bands plane on Oct. 20, 1977, they were fresh off the release of their fifth album. The fatalities included Cassie Gaines, her younger brother Steve Gaines, Ronnie Van Zant who was the founding member of the band, the assistant road manager, the pilot, and the copilot. The others on board survived with critical injuries. restrictions. He suffered a heart attack while on break from tour. Her cause of death is listed as an accidental overdose resulting from "acute toxicity of alcohol and multiple drugs." Iron, Andy: (July 24, 1978 - November 2, 2010) Andy Irons was a professional surfer who has won several surfing titles including three world titles, three Quicksilver Pro France titles, two Rip Curl Pro Search titles, and other . This account has been disabled. Jane Van Zant, a cousin of Lynyrd Skynyrd frontmen Johnny and the late-Ronnie Van Zant, posted that Ronnie's eldest daughter, Tammy, died on July 11th.No cause of death was given. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Tammy's passing was announced via a statement shared by her family on social media. That is not true. Leon Wilkeson, their bass player, had arguably the most harrowing recovery; as he faced many internal injuries, dislodged teeth, and a broken left arm and leg, and his heart stopped twice on the operating table while doctors frantically struggled to keep him alive. Try again later. Follow Our website TheGossipsWorld.com for the latest updates!!!! Discover Ronnie Van Zant's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. What did Nicki Minaj do before becoming famous? Ronnie said, Hey, if the Lord wants you to die on this plane, when its your time, its your time, Rossington said. Out of the 26 people on the plane, six were killed on impact while most of the others were severely injured. The survival of many passengers was due to the lack of severe impact deformation in the center of the fuselage and the King joined Skynyrd in 1972 but left in 1975. He could hear the people moaning, pleading for help. Company and had accumulated at total of 29,013.6 flight hours. Nevertheless, the band was aboard when the plane took off at 5:02 p.m. on October 20. Van Zant himself "loathed flying," as Rolling Stone reports. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. of undetermined nature in the right engine which resulted in higher than normal fuel consumption. When he was sober, he was a fair and kind . And it was the road that would provide one of the moments for which the band is most famous today: a moment of airborne tragedy ending in the swampy woods near the Mississippi-Louisiana border. Totaled, decimated, and left for dead. Van Zant missed the 27 club (Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, etc), but that didn't stop him from predicting his death to come before he turned 30 years old. Everyone just stood there helpless. The right engine had been malfunctioning for some time and caused the flight crew to operate the engine on auto-rich You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. It also brought them, new band members. Steve Gaines, the bands promising young guitarist, his sister Cassie Gaines, a backup vocalist, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary, and co-pilot William Gray Jr., also perished.
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