The six passengers traveling on a medical jet before it crashed in Northeast Philadelphia Friday night have been identified by the Mexico-based company that was operating the small plane.
All those onboard the Learjet 55 aircraft, including a pediatric patient who recently finished treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital, were killed in the crash.
A spokesperson for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said the following individuals, all of whom were Mexican citizens, were flying on the plane before it went down near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. on Jan. 31:
- Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales
- Copilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez
- Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo
- Rodrigo Lopez Padilla
- Valentina Guzman Murillo
- Lizeth Murillo Ozuna
Jet Air Ambulance said Valentina Guzman Murillo was the young patient receiving treatment in Philadelphia, and was accompanied by her mother Lizeth.
“It’s extremely hard and extremely difficult, those that were involved directly in her care were very aware that she was going to be traveling home and there had actually been a sendoff for her today,” Mel Bower, a spokesperson for the hospital, said Friday night.
In addition to the six victims who were killed on the plane, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said Saturday that a seventh person who was on the ground at the time of the crash also died, though that individual has not yet been identified.
In an update Sunday, Parker said that the number of injured victims increased from 20 to 22 individuals. Of those victims, Parker said five remain hospitalized, three of whom are in critical condition.
Parker added that no School District of Philadelphia schools will be closed on Monday due to the crash investigation, though delays related to traffic around the crash will be excused.
Road closures have been in effect around Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue since the crash Friday night. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said he expects the inner and outer lanes of the boulevard to reopen by rush hour on Monday morning.
Residents in the area can sign up for traffic and road closure alerts through ReadyPhiladelphia.
The city also plans to host a town hall meeting for residents impacted by the tragic accident on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. A location for that meeting has not yet been released.
Parker urges city to “take care of each other” in wake of tragedy
When asked about the emotional toll of the jet crash on the city, Mayor Parker said now is the time for Philadelphians to come together as a community and city to care for their neighbors.
“It’s in times of crisis when you should remember who you are,” Parker said. “We are a strong people, a resilient people who clearly understand how and why it’s so important that we take care of each other.”
“We will get through this moment,” she said.
Federal agencies leading crash investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the crash investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration and other local agencies.
On Saturday, NTSB officials said the medical jet departed from a base in Florida Friday at around 12 p.m. and arrived in Northeast Philadelphia around 2:15 p.m. on Jan. 31. The jet was on the ground for a few hours and then departed the runway to go to Springfield, Missouri, around 6:06 p.m.
GPS data determined that the jet climbed about 1,500 feet into the air before taking a slight right turn, then a slight left turn and then began a steep descent before it crashed, officials said. The entire flight was less than one minute.
The NTSB said investigators are still looking for the plane’s cockpit voice recorder. Anyone who comes across debris is asked not to touch it and email [email protected].
During Sunday’s press conference, officials said it could take days and weeks before many questions about the crash are answered.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information is released.
