A survivor of the tragic runway collision at LaGuardia Airport has recounted the terrifying moments after an Air Canada jet crashed into a fire truck.
The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft, arriving from Montreal, collided with the emergency vehicle on the runway. The crash claimed the lives of both pilots, while a flight attendant sustained injuries.
Passengers onboard were forced to evacuate themselves amid chaos, with the smell of fuel filling the air and debris scattered from the severely damaged cockpit. Many reportedly tore open emergency exits, climbed onto the wings, and jumped down to safety, helping others escape in the process.
Several passengers suffered injuries, including bleeding and head wounds.
One of the survivors, Clément Lelièvre, described the experience as surreal.
“Strangely enough, I wasn’t scared or panicked. On the contrary, I think most of us were pretty aware of what happened,” he said.
“So we all went outside; we got other people out.”
Emergency responders quickly transported crew members, about 40 passengers, and two individuals from the fire truck to nearby hospitals. While some victims sustained serious injuries, many were treated and discharged by Monday, March 23. Others did not require medical attention.
The incident has since sparked widespread reactions online, with many questioning the actions of both air traffic control and the fire truck driver.
Critics argued that clearer communication could have prevented the collision, while others blamed the driver for entering the runway at a critical moment.
A viral video of the crash continues to circulate on social media, intensifying public scrutiny over airport safety protocols.
