Egypt Daily News – At least seven people are dead and another 19 are injured after a plane crash and massive explosion in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday. Those killed include six people on the medical transport jet, including a child, and a person on the ground who was inside a vehicle.
At least 19 others were injured, Mayor Cherelle Parker said during a briefing Saturday morning.
The six people on the plane were Mexican nationals, Mexico’s president said Saturday morning.
“I mourn the death of six Mexicans in the plane crash in Philadelphia, United States,” Claudia Sheinbaum said. “The consular authorities are in permanent contact with the families; I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support them in whatever way is required. My solidarity with their loved ones and friends.”
On board were a pediatric patient and her mother returning home to Mexico after the child had been treated in Philadelphia, said Shai Gold, spokesperson for flight operator Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. The girl was being treated for an illness at Shriners Children’s Hospital in northeast Philadelphia, city officials said Saturday.
The small plane, a Learjet 55, had just departed Northeast Philadelphia Airport bound for Springfield, Missouri, when it went down, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.
In a news conference Saturday morning, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said one person in a car was killed on the ground. She warned that the total count of injuries may change as investigators continue working at the scene and tracking down who has been transported to hospitals.
In a statement, Shriner’s Hospital said the child had received care from the Philadelphia hospital and was being taken back to her home country of Mexico along with her mother on a contracted air ambulance when the crash happened.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the medical crew and pilots who were also lost in this tragic event – as well as all of the people who were affected on the ground – and we’re thankful to the first responders for their quick action,” Shriners said in a statement.
The investigation into the fiery crash of a medical flight in Northeast Philadelphia continued Saturday with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board on the scene to search for answers to why the Learjet fell from the sky Friday night.
