Two pilots lost their lives and more than 40 people were injured after an Air Canada regional aircraft collided with a fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
The incident occurred late Sunday when the Bombardier CRJ-900 jet, operated by Jazz Aviation, struck the emergency vehicle, which had been cleared to cross the runway while responding to another situation.
Air traffic control audio revealed a last-minute attempt to stop the truck before impact, but the collision could not be avoided. The crash left the aircraft severely damaged, with its cockpit destroyed.
Authorities confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot died in the accident, while many of the injured passengers were treated and later discharged. The firefighters in the truck are expected to recover.
Flights at the busy airport were temporarily suspended but resumed by Monday afternoon, though delays and cancellations persisted.
Investigations have been launched by U.S. aviation authorities, with support from Canadian officials, to determine the cause of what is believed to be the airport’s first fatal accident in decades.
The tragedy has drawn reactions from leaders, including Donald Trump and Mark Carney, who both expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
