Audio details dramatic scenes as Miami firefighters race to Amazon plane crash
Audio from emergency services attending to an Amazon cargo plane crash in which five people died saw firefighters steeling themselves for what was ahead.
The Boeing 767 had overshot a runway at Miami International Airport on 6 September at around 2pm, crashing on a busy road.
In radio traffic shared with the Miami Herald, firefighters are heard enroute to the crash, with the operation reportedly involving some 200 firefighters and 60 units, with the first crews on scene arriving less than a minute after receiving the call.
One can be heard to say: “The plane is on fire. The plane is on fire," before adding: “Put your game faces on guys.”
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Emergency workers fought to get the blaze under control as smoke poured from the crashed plane, with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied 'Ray' Jadallah calling it a 'very complex situation'.
To make matters even more difficult, the left engine on the aircraft was reportedly still running when emergency services were at the scene, making approaching extremely dangerous.
This meant that rescuers could not get into the aircraft itself safely to look for anyone trapped on the aircraft. Eventually, firefighters were able to flood the engine with water to cut it.
Five people have been confirmed to have died in the crash, and five others have been taken to hospital, with three of them reportedly in critical condition. The identities of those killed and injured have not yet been released.
In addition to people on the plane, rescuers also had to free people who had been trapped after the jet landed in the road, with one person needing to be rescued from a vehicle by specialist crews.
The Amazon Prime flight, with the number Flight 7598, had been travelling from San Juan in Puerto Rico.
While coming in to land it had overshot the runway and smashed through the perimeter fence, hitting several vehicles. It had reportedly come in to land in windy conditions and thunderstorms, though the reason that it overshot the runway has not yet been established.
An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board is now underway to establish what may have led to the crash.
In a statement, Amazon said: “Our deepest condolences go out to the families, loved ones and all those affected by this devastating loss.
“We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”
Miami International Airport had a full ground stop following the crash, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled, with two runways reopening on Sunday.
CEO of the cargo airline 21 Air Keith Winters said in a statement: “Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
“Our immediate priorities are supporting those affected, assisting the authorities and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available.”
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said in a statement: "Units arrived to find an airplane that had caught on fire as a result of this crash, with heavy flames and smoke showing. Firefighters are working on extinguishing the fire and assessing patients."
Kit Roberts