An air ambulance carrying six people crashed near a mall in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, leaving many in shock and grieving. The Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which was transporting a pediatric patient, her escort, and four crew members, is believed to have had no survivors, according to the company.
The plane, a Learjet 55, took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri before crashing near Roosevelt Mall, just three miles from the airport. The cause of the crash remains unknown, but witnesses described seeing a fireball and smoke at the scene.
Six individuals were taken to Temple University Hospital’s Jeanes Campus with injuries, with three in fair condition and three being treated and released. The identities of those on board have not been released.
The child who was on board was a patient at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia hospital and was being transported back to Mexico, where she was to be returned home via ground ambulance. The cost of the flight was covered by an international charity.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash, with the NTSB set to lead the investigation. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has offered his support to the responding authorities and families affected by the crash.
