Sick Child and Family Perish in Blaze

A medical plane carrying six people, including a sick child who had just undergone “lifesaving treatment,” crashed in Philadelphia, causing a massive explosion. The incident occurred near the Roosevelt Mall, leaving multiple casualties and widespread destruction.

Also Read: Washington Plane Crash Raises Safety Concerns Amid Aviation’s ‘Safest Era’

Plane Crashes Shortly After Takeoff

The Learjet 55 took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 6:06 pm on Friday (Saturday AEDT), bound for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The aircraft carried a pediatric patient, her mother, a doctor, a paramedic, a pilot, and a co-pilot.

Shai Gold, a spokesperson for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, confirmed the details. “All I can say is, the patient was sponsored by a third-partner charity to undergo lifesaving treatment in the US. She did her course of care. She was going home,” Gold told NBC 10 Philadelphia.

Tragically, the plane crashed just minutes after takeoff at 6:30 pm. Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as the aircraft plunged from the sky and exploded.

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Eyewitness Accounts Describe Horror

One witness told WPVI, “I was just driving down the street, coming to Wendy’s, and I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky lit up, and I pulled over. It was just real bad around here.”

Social media videos captured a fireball erupting in the sky, with debris scattered across the shopping centre’s car park. Reports indicated that parts of the plane struck nearby vehicles and homes, setting several buildings ablaze.

Philadelphia City Council member Mike Driscoll called the crash an “active emergency response situation” and confirmed reports of “mass casualties.”

Emergency Response and Casualties

Fire officials rushed to contain the blaze, but multiple homes and cars were already on fire. Several people on the ground sustained injuries, with at least six transported to Temple University Hospital’s Jeanes Campus. Three patients were released, while three others remained hospitalised.

The Shriners Children’s Philadelphia hospital confirmed that the child patient had received care at their facility. “Shriners Children’s is heartbroken to confirm that one of our pediatric patients and the child’s mother were aboard the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance that crashed in Philadelphia this evening,” the hospital said in a statement.

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance later announced that they could not confirm any survivors.

Officials and Leaders React

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the situation, stating, “We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly. We’ll continue to provide updates as more information is available.”

President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, writing, “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.”

Investigation Underway

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.

Local media reported that the aircraft quickly disappeared from radar after reaching an altitude of 487 metres. The weather conditions included rain and low visibility at the time of the crash.

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance assured the public that their planes meet international safety standards. “This was a very seasoned crew. We are a leading air ambulance company, flying 600 to 700 times a year,” Gold stated.

A Devastating Week for US Aviation

This incident follows another aviation tragedy earlier in the week. An American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided over Washington, D.C., in the worst air disaster in the US since 2009. All 67 people on board perished.

Friday’s Learjet 55 crash further deepened concerns over aviation safety. “We know that there will be loss,” Governor Shapiro said, adding that officials are working to assess the full extent of the tragedy.

As emergency teams continue their search efforts, the Philadelphia community mourns yet another devastating air disaster.

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