By Sarah Baafi
A tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening resulted in the deaths of seven people, including a child and her mother, shortly after the medical transport jet took off. The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before continuing to Tijuana, Mexico. The aircraft went down just 30 seconds after departure from Northeast Philadelphia Airport around 6:10 PM, crashing into a residential area and igniting multiple fires across the neighborhood.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene as the plane exploded upon impact, with one local resident, Michael Schiavone, stating, “There was a large explosion, so I thought we were under attack for a second.” The crash caused significant damage, affecting at least six homes and resulting in injuries to 19 others on the ground, including one individual who was killed while sitting in their car. Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed the fatalities during a press conference on Saturday morning, expressing her condolences to the families affected by this devastating incident.
The child aboard the plane had recently undergone treatment for a life-threatening condition at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Shai Gold, a spokesperson for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, revealed that the child was returning home after receiving life-saving care funded by a charity. “She fought quite a lot to survive, and unfortunately, this tragedy happened on the way home,” Gold lamented. All six individuals on board were Mexican nationals, as confirmed by the Mexican government.
Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the situation at the crash site, stating, “We know that there will be loss in this region.” He assured that state resources would be made available to assist in the response efforts. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident to determine its cause.
In addition to the immediate aftermath of the crash, emergency responders faced challenges as they battled fires ignited by debris scattered across several blocks. Firefighters conducted thorough searches of affected buildings to ensure no one remained trapped inside. “This is a tragedy in our city – people have lost their lives and many injured in this horrific crash,” Mayor Parker added.
As investigations continue and families mourn their losses, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with air travel. President Donald Trump expressed his sorrow on social media, noting it was “so sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia.” The community now grapples with both grief and questions surrounding this tragic event as they await further updates from authorities.
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