PHILADELPHIA — Three individuals who were on the ground and injured during a jet crash in a bustling Philadelphia neighborhood are still in critical condition, according to Mayor Cherelle Parker on Sunday.
Parker reported that a total of 22 people sustained injuries from the crash, with five remaining hospitalized. Additionally, at least 11 residences and several businesses suffered considerable damage.
“The city mourns the loss of those who perished, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time,” Parker expressed regarding the deceased.
The incident involved a Mexico-bound air ambulance that fell dramatically to the ground on Friday evening, just moments after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The aircraft had six occupants, including a young girl who had recently undergone intensive treatment at a local hospital.
One victim was tragically killed while inside a car when debris from the Learjet 55 crash scattered through the neighborhood, severely impacting nearby properties.
Mayor Parker noted that the investigation into the crash is still active, with officials conducting door-to-door inquiries to gather information from local residents.
This unfortunate crash occurred just two days following the deadliest air disaster in the United States in recent years, where an American Airlines jet collided midair with an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, there were no survivors from that incident.
While a busy road near the crash site remained closed on Sunday, police indicated that Roosevelt Boulevard would be reopened in time for morning rush hour on Monday.
The Castor Gardens neighborhood, where the crash took place, is characterized by a working-class community filled with dense row houses, as noted by state Rep. Jared Solomon, who has personal ties to the area. It features heavy traffic with a blend of commercial and residential spaces.
“These are people who are dedicated to helping others—nurses, construction workers, and first responders. Now, this community is coming together to support one another during this tragic time,” Solomon stated on Sunday.
The air ambulance, destined for Tijuana after a planned stop in Missouri, had just reached an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet (457 meters) when it lost control. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, referred to the crash as “high-impact,” emphasizing the extensive fragmentation of the aircraft. The process of collecting wreckage is expected to take weeks.
The young girl feared to be among the deceased had recently finished treatment at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia hospital for a condition challenging to address in Mexico. Along with her mother, four crew members also lost their lives. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that all six individuals aboard the plane were from Mexico.
While the identities of the deceased have not been released by Philadelphia authorities or the operating company, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, it was reported by XE Médica Ambulancias that one victim was Dr. Raúl Meza, a chief of neonatology from the State of Mexico near Mexico City. Additionally, relatives identified Josué Juárez from Veracruz as the co-pilot.
Mayor Parker mentioned that the names of all deceased victims would be withheld until the Mexican consulate determines it is appropriate to disclose them.
The Ensenada municipal government in Mexico confirmed that two of the victims were residents of that coastal city in Baja California. They have been identified as Valentina Guzmán Murillo and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Osuna.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which managed the plane that crashed in Philadelphia, is based in Mexico and also operates out of Miami. Earlier in 2023, five crew members from Jet Rescue died in a tragic accident when their plane overran a runway in Morelos, Mexico, and careened into a hillside.
In recorded audio from LiveATC, an air traffic controller at Northeast Philadelphia Airport can be heard instructing “Medevac Medservice 056” to turn right shortly after its departure. Approximately 30 seconds later, the controller repeats the instruction, checking if the aircraft is still on the frequency. A few minutes later, the controller announces, “We have a lost aircraft. We’re uncertain about what has transpired, and we are trying to assess the situation. For now, the airfield will remain closed.”
