Young boy 'pushing through' after being hit by debris from Philadelphia plane crash
Share and Follow

PHILADELPHIA — There’s still a lot of uncertainty when it comes to fatalities and injuries following Friday’s devastating plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.

ABC Philadelphia affiliate WPVI spoke with the mother and father of a 10-year-old boy believed to be one of the first patients to arrive at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital on Friday night.

“My baby in there, it’s hard seeing him like that. As a mother what am I supposed to do? But he’s good. He’s pushing through,” cried Lashawn Hamiel, Andre Howard’s mother.

Ten-year-old Andre Howard was in the car with his father and siblings when tragedy shook the busy area near the Roosevelt Mall.

Andre Howard

“Heard what we thought was a car crash, but then you see a fury of fire in the air, then a bunch of debris shooting everywhere,” explained father, Andre Howard.

He said he tried using a nearby building to shield them from flying debris.

“My son who’s named after me, Andre Howard, tells his little sister, ‘Get down.’ And he grabs her I hear the glass shatter. I turn around, there’s a piece of metal sticking out of my son’s head from the plane,” Howard said.

An innocent man on the street took the shirt off his back to help apply pressure to Andre’s head.

Then a Philadelphia police officer rushed them to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where the boy underwent emergency surgery.

“They told us my son wasn’t supposed to make it. They also told us, ‘They don’t do children trauma.’ But they did for us, which was nothing but God,” noted Howard.

Authorities said at least seven people are dead, including a mother and daughter who were in the medical transport plane.

Video from inside a diner show people ducking for cover as debris flies from the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.

At least 24 others were injured, including Andre.

Doctors initially told him that his son would never walk again, but after being transported to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Andre has made miracle strides overnight.

“To face death yesterday and speaking today, stepping up for his little sister, like I train him and his other little brothers to do off of instinct. He’s my hero,” said Howard.

His mother says doctors are working to keep him stable and comfortable as they work to figure out the next steps in terms of care.

“He’s strong, he’s a jokester, but he’s strong. He’s a superhero,” cried Hamiel.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Abdul Carter's brutal penalty wipes out pick-six in Giants' loss

Costly Penalty by Abdul Carter Nullifies Game-Changing Pick-Six in Giants Defeat

Despite recording a sack, delivering four quarterback hits, and making a crucial…
Manhunt underway for suspect accused of killing two people outside Chipotle restaurant

Authorities Launch Search for Suspect in Double Homicide Outside Chipotle Restaurant

In a bid to apprehend a suspect linked to a tragic double…
Chicago police warn of more armed robberies of businesses in Brighton Park, Jefferson Park, Bucktown, Montclare, West Beverly

St. Paul Incident: ICE Agent Opens Fire After SUV Collision with Cuban Man, Reports DHS

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A dramatic confrontation unfolded in Minnesota’s capital on…
Carl Banks shreds Deonte Banks after latest Giants letdown

Carl Banks Critiques Deonte Banks Following Giants’ Recent Setback

Former Giants star and current radio analyst Carl Banks has openly criticized…
'Troubling' colorectal cancer complication is highest in those under 50

Alarming Surge: Colorectal Cancer Complications Skyrocket in Under-50s

Disturbing news has emerged in the fight against colorectal cancer. This form…
ALAN DERSHOWITZ: Scandal everyone has missed in the Epstein photos

Uncovered: The Overlooked Details in Epstein Photos Revealed by Alan Dershowitz

Renowned jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes famously noted that hard cases often lead…
FILE - Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference at the Department of Transportation in Washington, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Colorado’s Federal Funds Slashed by $24M Due to Unlawful CDL Issuances

DENVER (AP) — On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a…
Brown University custodian told security suspicious man was ‘casing’ building weeks before shooting: report

Brown University Custodian Alerted Security to Suspicious Activity Weeks Before Campus Shooting Incident

A custodian at Brown University reported witnessing the shooting suspect numerous times…