A medical transport plane that crashed in Philadelphia last week is expected to have its impact area reopened on Wednesday, based on statements from city officials.
Adam Thiel, the managing director of the city, announced during a press conference on Tuesday that the National Transportation Safety Board has completed its investigation at the location. Additionally, Thiel mentioned that the city would shift its forensic investigation from the crash site, facilitating the commencement of cleanup operations.
“We can begin the process of restoring this tragic incident’s area back to activity,” Thiel expressed. “I won’t use the term normalcy, as that will take significantly more time.”
Thiel also indicated that various city agencies would be active overnight to clear any debris from the streets, aiming to have most of the local businesses operational again by Wednesday morning so residents can return to their homes.
“Our goal is to ensure that we can facilitate access to that area once daylight arrives,” he added.
Tragically, the crash that occurred on Friday night resulted in the deaths of all six individuals on board the Learjet 55 air ambulance, including an 11-year-old girl who had been receiving medical care at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia hospital. Additionally, a seventh person in a vehicle on the ground lost their life, and 24 more suffered injuries. Officials emphasized that the casualty count may be subject to change as the investigation progresses.
The firm Jet Rescue Air Ambulance reported that the aircraft was transporting Valentina Guzmán Murillo, age 11, and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Osuna, age 31, back to Mexico. The plane crashed within a minute after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Jet Rescue identified the crew members who perished as Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo, 41; the captain Alan Montoya Perales, 46; co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, 43; and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla, 41.
Hospital officials stated that Valentina had recently finished treatment for a medical issue that was difficult to manage in Mexico.
The crash caused substantial destruction, resulting in a fireball that scattered debris across the residential and commercial neighborhood of Castor Gardens, causing considerable damage to numerous businesses. City officials reported that four homes were completely destroyed, six suffered significant damage, and another eleven were adversely impacted by the incident.
