PHILADELPHIA (Diya TV) — A medical transport plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia Friday evening, killing seven and injuring 19, according to city officials. The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, had taken off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport just as it was heading toward Tijuana, Mexico, when it crashed at about 6:10 p.m. near Roosevelt Mall.
All the six people on board the plane lost their lives. Among them were Valentina Guzman Murillo, an 11-year-old girl who was returning home after treatment at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, along with her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna. There were four crew members; Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo, the paramedic Lopez Padilla, Captain Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, and the co-pilot Josue De Jesus Juarez Juarez. An additional victim died in the accident as the plane crashed into another person’s car.
The fire caused by the crash was very intense and burned at least 11 homes and several businesses. The firemen were able to put out the flames, but the area remains hazardous due to debris scattered up to a quarter-mile from the impact site. Mayor Cherelle Parker reported that 19 people were injured and five are still hospitalized, with three in critical condition.
Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration started investigating what led to this crash. A cockpit voice recorder and enhanced ground proximity warning system have already been recovered in this wreckage from this crash scene to be investigated at Washington D.C.
President Trump posted his condolence message saying, “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls were lost. Our people are engaged. First responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.”
The authorities advise people to stay away from the crash site and call 911 if they find any debris. A shelter has been set up at Samuel Fels High School for displaced residents. Officials are saying that casualty numbers may change as more information is available.
