A medevac plane crashed in Philadelphia on Friday, killing a child and five others, according to the air ambulance company that operated it. No survivors have been confirmed.
Jet Rescue Air Ambulance reported that its aircraft crashed with four crew members, one pediatric medical patient, and the patient’s escort aboard.
“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors,” the company stated.
State and local officials said late Friday that they could not yet confirm how many people died on the ground after the plane crashed into a densely populated area of the city.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro told a press conference at the crash site that “we know there will be loss in this region.”
“We want to offer our thoughts and our serious prayers for those that are grieving at this moment,” Shapiro told the audience.
President Donald Trump tweeted that it was “so sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.” More innocent lives lost. Our employees are completely engaged. First responders are already being recognized for their excellent work.”
The crash comes after an American Airlines jet collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., killing 67 people in the country’s deadliest plane crash since 2009.
The Learjet 55 that crashed around 6:30 p.m. (0030 GMT) on Friday was carrying six people, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Local media reported that it happened near the Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia, and that there were numerous injuries on the ground.
Local TV stations aired footage of the plane in a sharp dive before crashing and exploding in a massive fireball.
At a press conference at the scene, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker stated that several houses and cars were on fire. She described the situation as “all hands on deck, that is where we are right now.”
Officials said it was unclear what caused the crash. When the plane went down, the weather was cold and rainy, with low visibility.
The air ambulance had left Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, about 1,100 miles (1,800 kilometers) southwest, according to an FAA statement.
The Philadelphia CBS affiliate broadcast images of a large fire and several fire trucks at the crash scene. According to television images, the fires were mostly extinguished about two hours after the crash.
The Philadelphia police and fire departments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
