The weather that night was less than ideal. Thick fog had descended upon the area, significantly reducing visibility. Despite the challenging conditions, the helicopter took off shortly after midnight. Tragically, it was only a matter of minutes before disaster struck. As the helicopter ascended into the foggy night, it veered off course and crashed into a nearby ski slope, a mere 0.6 miles from the takeoff point. All five occupants were killed instantly upon impact.
The news of Vaughan's death sent shockwaves through the music community and beyond. Fans around the world were devastated, and fellow musicians mourned the loss of a peer whose influence on blues and rock was profound and far-reaching. Stevie Ray Vaughan was only 35 years old, and his untimely death left a void that could never be filled.