Eighteen passengers injured in dramatic runway accident
At least 18 passengers were injured when a Delta Air Lines aircraft crash-landed and flipped upside down at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Dramatic videos from the scene have gone viral, showing passengers evacuating the overturned plane with assistance from crew members and ground staff.
Authorities confirmed that among the injured, three are in critical condition: a child, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s. No casualties have been reported.
Aircraft crashes during landing in snowy conditions
The Endeavor Air flight 4819, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, was arriving from Minneapolis when it crashed during landing amid snowy conditions. The plane, a CRJ-900 regional jet, ended up belly-up on the icy tarmac. Emergency personnel quickly responded to the site, helping passengers to safety and providing medical assistance.
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson stated that the cause of the crash remains unknown. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation.
Passengers recount terrifying experience
John Nelson, a passenger on the Delta Air flight, shared a video from the tarmac showing the overturned plane. “Our plane crashed. It’s upside down,” he narrated. Another passenger described the terrifying moment, stating, “We hit the ground, we were sideways, and then we were upside down.”
Footage from inside the cabin captured the chaos as passengers unbuckled themselves and attempted to exit. “I was able to just unbuckle and sort of fall to the ground,” one survivor recalled. “Some people were hanging and needed help getting down.”
Runway closures and investigation underway
Following the incident, two runways at Toronto Pearson International Airport were closed as officials conducted their investigation. The airport confirmed that flight operations were temporarily suspended but later resumed on other runways.
A major snowstorm had hit eastern Canada the previous day, causing flight disruptions. Strong winds and frigid temperatures persisted in Toronto, potentially contributing to the accident. However, officials have yet to confirm weather conditions as a factor in the crash.
As investigations continue, authorities urge passengers and witnesses to come forward with any additional footage or testimonies that may aid in determining the cause of the crash.
