Tragic Medevac Jet Crash in Philadelphia Leaves Community in Shock
Philadelphia, PA – A devastating aviation accident shook Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening when a medical jet crashed into a residential area, setting off a fiery explosion that sent residents into panic. The horrifying incident lit up the night sky, with nearby witnesses reporting a thunderous boom as the aircraft went down.
Explosion and Panic in Northeast Philadelphia
The aircraft, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was transporting four crew members, a young patient, and the child’s mother from Philadelphia to Mexico when tragedy struck shortly after takeoff. Security camera footage from nearby homes captured the moment of impact, showing an intense fireball as the jet crashed near Roosevelt Mall.
Residents took to social media to share their shock, with many describing the scene as chaotic and terrifying. “It felt like an earthquake,” one witness said. “The whole house shook, and then we saw the sky light up.”
Victims and Flight Details
Shriners Children’s Hospital confirmed that the young patient and their mother were aboard the plane. The child had been receiving medical treatment in Philadelphia and was being transported back home to Mexico.
“I can’t even describe how heartbroken we are,” the hospital said in a statement. “This was a young child who had just been treated and was on her way home.”
The FAA confirmed that the Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. shortly after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The aircraft was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri when it went down.
Investigation and Community Response
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker addressed the public, confirming that some homes and vehicles caught fire due to the crash. While officials have not released the exact number of casualties, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance stated that there were no survivors aboard the plane.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, with the Red Cross setting up a temporary shelter at a local high school for displaced residents. Hospitals also received injured victims from the crash site. Temple University Health reported that six people were admitted, with three later released and three remaining in fair condition.
Officials, including President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have been briefed on the crash. Trump expressed his condolences on social media, writing, “So sad to see another tragedy in Philadelphia. Our first responders are doing an incredible job. More updates to come.”
Federal investigators from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are actively working to determine the cause of the accident. In the meantime, the Northeast Philadelphia community remains in mourning, offering their support to the grieving families affected by this heartbreaking event.
Eyewitness Accounts: ‘Help us, help us’
Philadelphia resident Michael Hitchner was sitting in a parked car when the plane crashed nearby. He said he used his shirt to try to stop the bleeding from a cut on the head of a child who was injured by a piece of debris that fell through a car’s windshield.
“The parents were shouting, ‘Help us, help us, help us!'” Hitchner said. He added that he and his wife saw other carnage as well. “My wife saw a disembodied foot. I saw a disembodied arm. I saw medical supplies scattered everywhere,” Hitchner said.
