The medical jet that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday night has been confirmed to have six individuals on board, all of whom lost their lives in the tragic event. The Learjet 55 was operated by a Mexico-based company, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, and included a young patient who had just completed treatment at Shriners Children's Hospital, along with her mother. The plane went down shortly after 6 p.m. near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue.
Valentina Guzman Murillo was the pediatric patient, and her departure had been marked with a sendoff at the hospital, as expressed by Mel Bower, a hospital spokesperson. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced that in addition to the six aircraft victims, a seventh individual on the ground also died, though their identity remains unknown. The number of injuries rose from 20 to 22, with five individuals currently hospitalized and three in critical condition.
Following the crash, road closures were implemented around the crash site, specifically affecting Cottman Avenue, while some lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard reopened on Sunday. The city plans to hold a town hall meeting for residents affected by the accident, with the date scheduled for Feb. 5. Mayor Parker emphasized the importance of community solidarity during this distressing time, reminding Philadelphians of their resilience and the necessity of looking out for one another.
As investigations are underway, led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) with support from the Federal Aviation Administration, officials have reported that the jet had taken off from Florida earlier that day. Preliminary data suggest it made a steep descent shortly after takeoff. Investigators have recovered key components, including the cockpit voice recorder and other flight data devices, which are being examined further.
Residents are advised to refrain from touching any debris they encounter and report it to the NTSB. Authorities warn that it may take an extended period before the investigation yields answers regarding the cause of the crash. This evolving situation will continue to be monitored for updates.
7 Comments
Matzomaster
Why isn't anyone talking about the lack of accountability for air ambulance services? This could have been prevented!
Karamba
The impact on the community is immeasurable; it’s good to see officials taking action for the residents during this grief.
Rotfront
Heartbreaking as it is, we need to hold all stakeholders accountable for this tragedy. What were the regulations like?
Karamba
It's shocking that Jet Rescue Air Ambulance was operating in such poor weather conditions. Who allowed this to happen?
Rotfront
My heart goes out to the families affected. This is a tragedy that reminds us how fragile life can be.
Leonardo
It’s so sad that such a young life was lost. We need to honor Valentina's memory by advocating for patient safety.
ArtemK
Feeling grateful for the quick response of the emergency services. They did their best in a tragic situation.