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31 January 2025
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Seven dead, 24 injured in ‘high-impact’ air ambulance crash in Philadelphia, US
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An air ambulance operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a Learjet 55 was carrying six people, including a child and crashed in a fireball that engulfed several homes near a mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the US, on Friday, 31 January 2025. A driver of a vehicle also died in the incident. Harrowing footage of the incident, from multiple angles, showed an enormous, billowing explosion after the twin-engine Learjet 55 came down in a “high traffic” residential neighbourhood in the northeast section of the city, affecting between four and six blocks.
Eyewitnesses said the sky was “lit up” by the explosion, which was later declared a “major incident” by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.
According to the FAA, the plane departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 18h30 local time, en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. It was reportedly airborne for only about 40 seconds, reaching an altitude of just 1 600 feet.
It reportedly fell from the sky at around 11 000 feet per minute.
Six people were on board the Learjet operated by the company Jet Rescue Air Ambulance when the crash occurred, the FAA said. A paediatric patient and the patient’s mother and four crew members onboard were returning home to Mexico with a stop in Missouri after the patient was treated in Philadelphia for a life-threatening condition. At a brief press conference Friday evening, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that “several dwellings and vehicles” were impacted in the crash.
An aircraft went down in the vicinity of Roosevelt Mall … this occurred shortly after 6 pm this evening,” Parker told media. “As of right now we have no reports on the number of fatalities, so ... we’re just asking for prayers ... [and] we are urging you to please stay away from the scene,” Parker added.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said in a statement on X that he had spoken with Parker and local law enforcement, and is offering all Commonwealth resources as the emergency response unfolds.
A spokesperson for Temple University Hospital-Jeanes, Jennifer Reardon, said they had treated six people with injuries from the crash. Three of those people had since been released and the others were in fair condition. She wasn’t able to provide information about their injuries or where the people were when they sustained them.
President Donald Trump said he was aware of the crash, posting on his social media platform Truth Social, “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost.” He added, “Our people are totally engaged. First responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.”
The victims
Lizeth Murillo Osuna and Valentina Guzman Murillo
The medical jet was transporting a paediatric patient from Philadelphia back home to Mexico when it crashed. Officials identified the patient as 11-year-old Valentina Guzman Murillo. Her mother, 31-year-old Lizeth Murillo Osuna, was also on board the flight with her at the time. They both died in the crash. "She (Valentina) was brave! It was a long process from the day she was born," said the girl's aunt, Faby Guzman. "Her mom and dad were always with her many sleepless nights...Lizeth always looked for a better quality of life for her daughter. We had many plans but unfortunately, it didn't happen. Valentina was super smiley. She really liked me dancing for her and listening to music. She danced too and laughed."
Captain Alan Montoya Perales and co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez
Captain Alan Montoya Perales has been identified as the pilot of the Learjet 55. The 46-year-old had been with Jet Rescue Air Ambulance since 2016. His co-pilot, 43-year-old Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez had been with the company since December 2023.
Dr Raul Meza Arredondo
Dr Raul Meza Arredondo, 41, was also on board the ill-fated flight. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said Arredondo had been flying with the company since 2020.
Paramedic Rodrigo Lopez PadillaParamedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla, 41, had been working with the company since November 2023.
Steven Dreuitt
Philadelphia resident 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt was identified as the person who was found dead inside a vehicle after the plane crashed. Dreuitt was inside one of several vehicles were traveling along Cottman Avenue at the time. According to Dreuitt's family, his girlfriend and 9-year-old son, Ramesses Vazquez, were also in the car. There was no immediate word on the condition of Dreuitt's girlfriend.
Ramesses Vazquez
Ramesses Vazquez, 9, was severely burned in the blast from the medical jet impact. Family says he was traveling in the car with his father, Steven Dreuitt, as well as his dad's girlfriend that fateful Friday afternoon. Vazquez's mother, Jamie Vazquez-Viana, told to Action News that her 9-year-old son has burns to 90% of his body. She described him as fearless and brave. Vazquez-Viana says she's taking it day by day, and trying to be strong for her son as he receives care out of state.
Andre "Trey" Howard
A father recalls the Philadelphia plane crash that left his 10-year-old son injured and recovering at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Trey Howard, 10, is one of the survivors. However, the young boy was severely injured by flying debris. His father said he was picking up donuts with three of his kids, ages 4, 7 and 10, when the jet came crashing down. "Heard what we thought was a car crash, but then you see a fury of fire in the air, then a bunch of debris shooting everywhere," explained Trey's father, Andre Howard Jr.
Andre Jr. said he immediately backed up his car while Trey covered his little sister, protecting her. When he turned around to check on his children, Trey had a piece of metal lodged in his head. Trey's father said he used socks and another man's shirt to try and stop the bleeding. Miraculously, he's now awake and recovering -- even talking!
Andre Jr. told ABC News that Trey's first concerns when he woke up in the hospital were about his little sister and the Super Bowl. "Daddy, did I save my sister?" his father recalled the young boy asking. He is currently at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where is is recovering after undergoing emergency brain surgery and a police officer then rushed them to the hospital.
Second fatal incident in 15 months for Jet Rescue
The Philadelphia crash was the second fatal incident in 15 months for Jet Rescue. In 2023 five crewmembers were killed when their plane overran a runway in the central Mexican state of Morelos and crashed into a hillside.
Sources: Associated Press, The Independent, ABC News, 6 ABC
Eyewitnesses said the sky was “lit up” by the explosion, which was later declared a “major incident” by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.
According to the FAA, the plane departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at 18h30 local time, en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. It was reportedly airborne for only about 40 seconds, reaching an altitude of just 1 600 feet.
It reportedly fell from the sky at around 11 000 feet per minute.
Six people were on board the Learjet operated by the company Jet Rescue Air Ambulance when the crash occurred, the FAA said. A paediatric patient and the patient’s mother and four crew members onboard were returning home to Mexico with a stop in Missouri after the patient was treated in Philadelphia for a life-threatening condition. At a brief press conference Friday evening, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that “several dwellings and vehicles” were impacted in the crash.
An aircraft went down in the vicinity of Roosevelt Mall … this occurred shortly after 6 pm this evening,” Parker told media. “As of right now we have no reports on the number of fatalities, so ... we’re just asking for prayers ... [and] we are urging you to please stay away from the scene,” Parker added.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said in a statement on X that he had spoken with Parker and local law enforcement, and is offering all Commonwealth resources as the emergency response unfolds.
A spokesperson for Temple University Hospital-Jeanes, Jennifer Reardon, said they had treated six people with injuries from the crash. Three of those people had since been released and the others were in fair condition. She wasn’t able to provide information about their injuries or where the people were when they sustained them.
President Donald Trump said he was aware of the crash, posting on his social media platform Truth Social, “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost.” He added, “Our people are totally engaged. First responders are already being given credit for doing a great job. More to follow. God Bless you all.”
The victims
Lizeth Murillo Osuna and Valentina Guzman Murillo
The medical jet was transporting a paediatric patient from Philadelphia back home to Mexico when it crashed. Officials identified the patient as 11-year-old Valentina Guzman Murillo. Her mother, 31-year-old Lizeth Murillo Osuna, was also on board the flight with her at the time. They both died in the crash. "She (Valentina) was brave! It was a long process from the day she was born," said the girl's aunt, Faby Guzman. "Her mom and dad were always with her many sleepless nights...Lizeth always looked for a better quality of life for her daughter. We had many plans but unfortunately, it didn't happen. Valentina was super smiley. She really liked me dancing for her and listening to music. She danced too and laughed."
Captain Alan Montoya Perales and co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez
Captain Alan Montoya Perales has been identified as the pilot of the Learjet 55. The 46-year-old had been with Jet Rescue Air Ambulance since 2016. His co-pilot, 43-year-old Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez had been with the company since December 2023.
Dr Raul Meza Arredondo
Dr Raul Meza Arredondo, 41, was also on board the ill-fated flight. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said Arredondo had been flying with the company since 2020.
Paramedic Rodrigo Lopez PadillaParamedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla, 41, had been working with the company since November 2023.
Steven Dreuitt
Philadelphia resident 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt was identified as the person who was found dead inside a vehicle after the plane crashed. Dreuitt was inside one of several vehicles were traveling along Cottman Avenue at the time. According to Dreuitt's family, his girlfriend and 9-year-old son, Ramesses Vazquez, were also in the car. There was no immediate word on the condition of Dreuitt's girlfriend.
Ramesses Vazquez
Ramesses Vazquez, 9, was severely burned in the blast from the medical jet impact. Family says he was traveling in the car with his father, Steven Dreuitt, as well as his dad's girlfriend that fateful Friday afternoon. Vazquez's mother, Jamie Vazquez-Viana, told to Action News that her 9-year-old son has burns to 90% of his body. She described him as fearless and brave. Vazquez-Viana says she's taking it day by day, and trying to be strong for her son as he receives care out of state.
Andre "Trey" Howard
A father recalls the Philadelphia plane crash that left his 10-year-old son injured and recovering at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Trey Howard, 10, is one of the survivors. However, the young boy was severely injured by flying debris. His father said he was picking up donuts with three of his kids, ages 4, 7 and 10, when the jet came crashing down. "Heard what we thought was a car crash, but then you see a fury of fire in the air, then a bunch of debris shooting everywhere," explained Trey's father, Andre Howard Jr.
Andre Jr. said he immediately backed up his car while Trey covered his little sister, protecting her. When he turned around to check on his children, Trey had a piece of metal lodged in his head. Trey's father said he used socks and another man's shirt to try and stop the bleeding. Miraculously, he's now awake and recovering -- even talking!
Andre Jr. told ABC News that Trey's first concerns when he woke up in the hospital were about his little sister and the Super Bowl. "Daddy, did I save my sister?" his father recalled the young boy asking. He is currently at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where is is recovering after undergoing emergency brain surgery and a police officer then rushed them to the hospital.
Second fatal incident in 15 months for Jet Rescue
The Philadelphia crash was the second fatal incident in 15 months for Jet Rescue. In 2023 five crewmembers were killed when their plane overran a runway in the central Mexican state of Morelos and crashed into a hillside.
Sources: Associated Press, The Independent, ABC News, 6 ABC