Transcripts from the crash involving an Air Canada jet and a runway fire truck at LaGuardia Airport reveal an air traffic controller admitted he ‘messed up’ shortly after the tragic incident.
Audio revealed air traffic control had given permission for the fire truck to cross the runway to deal with an unrelated issue, before abruptly ordering it to ‘stop, stop, stop’ seconds before impact.
There were 72 passengers and four crew members aboard the aircraft. Officials said two pilots were killed in the crash, and at least 41 other people were hospitalized.
Speaking to reporters in Florida on Monday morning in response to the collision, President Trump said: ‘They made a mistake. It’s a dangerous business. That’s terrible.’
Harrowing images showed the Air Canada plane crumpled on the tarmac on Monday morning, after the flight from Montreal collided with the airport vehicle at 11.40pm Sunday night.
A female flight attendant was reportedly ejected through the front of the jet while still in her seat during the crash. She survived and was rushed to the hospital.
Aircraft passenger Jack Cabot said the impact sent ‘everybody flying everywhere’ inside the aircraft, and described the aftermath as ‘absolute chaos.’
LaGuardia is shutdown until at least 2pm today due to the crash, forcing thousands of passenger to scramble while airports across the country are facing severe delays due to the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
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