Officials have announced that all six people on board an air ambulance that crashed in Philadelphia shortly after take off were killed.
In a statement, Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker said: "A devastating plane crash occurred in Northeast Philadelphia near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman and Bustleton Avenues on Friday evening, January 31, 2025, at approximately 6:10 pm.
"A private Learjet 55 – a medical transportation jet – departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport with two passengers, a mother and daughter, and four crew members were killed in the tragic crash."
Given the tragic nature of the crash, with footage of the disaster showing that the aircraft exploded into a fireball when it collided with the ground, casualties were expected.
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The plane's operator, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, had previously said: "We cannot confirm any survivors."
Speaking further, the spokesperson said: "When an incident like this happens, it’s shocking and surprising.
"All of the aircraft are maintained, not a penny is spared because we know our mission is so critical."
The air ambulance had been transporting a young child back home to Mexico after she had been treated for a life threatening condition and her mother was going with her.
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All six people on board the plane, passengers and crew, were Mexican nationals.
The plane crashed around 30 seconds after take off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, coming down on a city street where vehicles and buildings were damaged by the resulting crash and fireball.
"Many people on the ground – in parking lots, on streets, in cars and homes in the area – were injured," Mayor Parker said of the damage done by the plane crash beyond the six people on board it.
It was added that 'the number of injured is yet to be released', so while it is known that at least six people were taken to hospital and three of those released after treatment the actual number of people affected is not yet certain.
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The air ambulance had been planning to first travel to Missouri and then on to Tijuana to return the girl and her mother home, but the tragic crash has taken at least six lives.
According to CNN, air traffic control were asked by another pilot what was happening and they said they had a 'lost aircraft'.
"We're not exactly sure what happened, so we're trying to figure it out for now," is what they said in the immediate confusion of the crash.
Topics: US News
Joe Harker