By Joke KujenyaÂ
A DEVASTATING air ambulance crash in Northeast Philadelphia has claimed multiple lives, including a young child, and left several homes ablaze.
This comes less than 72 hours after Wednesday’s midair collision over Washington, D.C., where an American Airlines plane carrying 64 people struck a Military Hawk helicopter while descending into Ronald Reagan National Airport.
The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en-route to Springfield, Missouri.
The aircraft went down near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue at approximately 6:07pm on Friday, scattering debris across a densely populated neighbourhood.
Emergency teams arrived within minutes, battling the fires and rescuing victims.
The Philadelphia Police Department confirmed six people sustained injuries on the ground, with three released from Temple University Hospital and the others in fair condition. Authorities have not confirmed any survivors from the aircraft.
The jet carried four crew members, a pediatric patient, and the child’s escort.
The child, a Mexican national, had just completed treatment at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. Hospital spokesperson Mel Bower described the tragedy as heartbreaking, noting the staff had earlier celebrated the child’s departure.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft’s blinking lights descending rapidly before the explosion.
A 10-year-old boy walking home from hockey practice described the terrifying moment, while another resident, Jimmy Weis, recalled the chaos as emergency crews arrived.
Ring camera footage captured the crash, showing a massive fireball engulfing the area. Officials have urged residents to avoid the site and report debris to 911.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management has enforced road closures on Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue as investigators work through the wreckage.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation.
The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report in the coming days.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, in a late-night briefing, expressed deep sorrow over the disaster and praised first responders for their swift action. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro commended the community’s resilience in the face of the tragedy.
In response, the Red Cross and the School District of Philadelphia have set up a shelter at Samuel Fels High School for displaced residents.
Authorities continue to assess damages and provide support to affected families.
