The City of Philadelphia continues to deal with the aftermath of a plane crash that occurred in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday. A Learjet 55, operating as a medical transportation flight, went down near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman and Bustleton Avenues shortly after takeoff at around 6:10 p.m. The crash claimed the lives of six individuals on board, including a mother and her child, and four crew members. Another victim, a driver in close proximity to the crash site, was also killed when their car was engulfed in flames, as reported on the official City of Philadelphia website.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the plane was destined for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, before continuing on to Mexico, where the young girl, a patient at Shriners Children’s Hospital, was from. The jet was airborne for only a minute before plummeting to the ground, resulting in not only the loss of life but also injuries to many on the ground. The extent of those injuries, and the hospitals where the victims were treated, remain undisclosed as an investigation into the accident is ongoing.

At a press briefing on the evening of the crash, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker referred to the event as a "tragedy in our city," offering condolences and affirming the commitment of city resources to address the fallout. In a later update, the Mayor with support from Managing Director Adam K. Thiel and other officials disclosed that 19 individuals had been injured and were receiving hospital treatment. Mayor Parker's words were captured in a statement by the City of Philadelphia, "Today we learned that a seventh person lost their life in this devastating event that has stunned the many citizens living in Northeast Philadelphia, specifically, the neighborhoods experiencing the most trauma following the crash."

The disaster response has been a collaborative city-wide effort, with Parker highlighting the swift actions of police, fire, and emergency agencies. Governor Josh Shapiro guaranteed support from the State of Pennsylvania, with teams from various state departments converging on the scene. Roads have been closed, assistance for the displaced is being coordinated at a local high school, and the City is continually updating residents through text messages and online posts. Residents in need of mental health support or other assistance can find resources listed in the city’s press release.

As the city continues to recover, officials remain at the crash site, conducting a thorough search of the debris for additional information, with Thiel indicating that the process could take weeks. The City will provide updates as new details emerge, with information available on the City’s blog, the Office of Emergency Management's social media channel, X (formerly Twitter), and the investigation's findings will be released as they are obtained.