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Kathryn Garcia, the executive director of the Port Authority, has confirmed the tragic loss of lives, with 41 passengers and two fire truck personnel being transported to the hospital following the incident.
Among those hospitalized, 32 individuals have been discharged, while others remain under medical care due to serious injuries. Fortunately, the Port Authority workers involved are reported to be in stable condition and are not facing life-threatening injuries.
When questioned about the air traffic controller’s instructions and staffing during the incident, Garcia directed all inquiries to the National Transportation Safety Board, which has commenced a thorough investigation.
Garcia also announced that the airport would remain closed until at least 2 p.m. today, which corresponds to 5 a.m. AEDT tomorrow, to ensure safety and facilitate the investigation.
She further explained that the fire truck was en route to assist with another situation, involving a pilot who had requested support after experiencing multiple unsuccessful takeoff attempts.
“The procedure always is in deference to the control tower,” she said, when asked about the procedure in such situations.
“Any time anyone is moving on any of our runways or taxiways, they have to get clearance from the tower to move on our runways and our taxiways.”
The airport said a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada struck a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate incident.
The collision on runway four sparked emergency protocols.
“The Port Authority Police Department is on scene along with the agency’s chairman and executive director,” LaGuardia Airport said in a statement.
“The airport is currently closed to facilitate the response and allow for a thorough investigation. This is a developing situation based on preliminary information.
“The Port Authority Police Department is working closely with our airline partners as well as federal authorities and will provide additional updates as more details become available.”
Air Canada said the preliminary passenger list showed 72 passengers and four crew were on board flight AC8646 from Montreal.
The New York Police Department said all streets and highway exists into the airport were closed until further notice due to an “emergency incident”.
A notice on the Federal Aviation Administration’s National Airspace System Status showed La Guardia as closed 12 minutes after the crash.
Eighteen flights had been diverted from La Guardia within a couple of hours of the collision, Flightradar24 reported.
Multiple videos taken by bystanders and posted on social media showed the jet with severe damage to the front of the aircraft.
– Reported with Associated Press
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