Mexico-based air ambulance confirms identities of Philadephia crash victims UPDATED

Authorities have identified the six passengers aboard the Learjet 55 medical aircraft that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on January 31, killing everyone on board.

The Mexico-based Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which operated the flight, confirmed the victims' identities, Caliber.Az reports via US media sources.

The aircraft was carrying a pediatric patient who had recently completed treatment at Shriners Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. The passengers, all Mexican citizens, included:

• Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales (pilot)
• Copilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez
• Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo
• Paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla
• Valentina Guzman Murillo (pediatric patient)
• Lizeth Murillo Ozuna (mother of Valentina)

According to Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, young Valentina was on her way home to Mexico after treatment. Hospital spokesperson Mel Bower said the staff had held a sendoff for her earlier that day, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking.

"It's extremely hard and extremely difficult," Bower said. "Those involved directly in her care were very aware she was going to be travelling home."

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed that in addition to the six victims on board, a seventh person—who was in a car near the crash site—was also killed. The victim has not yet been publicly identified.

The number of injured individuals has also increased to 22, with five still hospitalized. Of those, three remain in critical condition.

The crash occurred near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue around 6 p.m. on January 31. While authorities continue their investigation, Philadelphia police have reopened the outer lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard. However, Cottman Avenue remains closed.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Philadelphia schools will remain open on February 3, though traffic-related delays will be excused, Mayor Parker stated.

17:53 (February 1)

The cause of the devastating plane crash in northeast Philadelphia on January 31 may be linked to oxygen cylinders onboard the medical flight, sources said.

The crash, which occurred near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue, involved a medical airplane carrying six people, including a child, and is believed to have resulted in a massive explosion upon impact, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The combination of oxygen and fuel may have contributed to the catastrophic fireball that followed the crash. The plane was fully fueled as it was en route to Missouri, with the final destination being Springfield-Branson Airport.

Authorities have confirmed that one oxygen tank was found near the crash site, located in a McDonald's parking lot, further raising questions about the potential role of oxygen cylinders in the incident. The plane had taken off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at approximately 6:06 p.m. but disappeared from radar just 30 seconds later.

The aircraft, identified as a Learjet 55, was reportedly a medical flight operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which had been transporting the child, who was receiving treatment for a life-threatening condition, back to Mexico. The plane was carrying four crew members, including the pilot, along with the child and her mother.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed that several nearby homes and vehicles were damaged as a result of the crash. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro offered his support, stating that rescuers were being provided with all necessary resources to continue their efforts at the scene.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation into the cause of the crash, while federal and local authorities work together to determine whether the explosion was due to a mechanical issue, fuel, or the oxygen cylinders onboard.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences over the loss of life, thanking first responders for their efforts at the crash site. “Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy,” he said, offering support to the local community.

As the investigation into the crash continues, authorities are working to uncover the exact circumstances leading to the crash, while Philadelphia residents and officials begin to process the shock of the deadly incident.

09:54

A small medical transport plane, carrying six individuals, crashed into several buildings in northeast Philadelphia on January 31 evening, sparking a massive fire and injuring several people on the ground.

The aircraft, a Learjet 55, was on a medical transport mission, carrying four crew members, a child patient, and the patient's escort, according to a statement from Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, the company operating the flight, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Here is what we’ve learned thus far.
 
A Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. There were reportedly 6 people on board.

The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The @FAANews and @NTSB will…

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 1, 2025

The crash occurred just blocks from the Roosevelt Mall in a densely populated area filled with terraced housing and shops. Emergency crews rushed to the scene amid chaotic scenes of fiery debris and damaged buildings. Witnesses described a terrifying explosion, with burning shrapnel from the crash scattered across the streets, damaging cars and structures. One eyewitness said, "I just saw a plane basically hit the building and it exploded. The sky lit up, and I pulled over—it was just real bad around here."

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called the incident an "awful aviation disaster," acknowledging the likelihood of casualties. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed her concern, stating that city officials were still uncertain about the number of fatalities but urged residents to offer prayers for all those affected. She also cautioned people not to touch any debris and to contact emergency services if they encountered any.

The child aboard the plane was being transported for treatment in the US for a life-threatening condition and was on their way back to Tijuana, Mexico, when the crash occurred. The child, accompanied by her mother, a pilot, a copilot, a doctor, and a paramedic, had received care funded by a third-party charity, according to Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold. Tragically, Gold noted that the child had “fought quite a lot to survive” but was unable to make it home due to the crash.

BREAKING: Plane crash near Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Several homes are on fire, MASSIVE emergency response in-progress. pic.twitter.com/wl6rVCbX5m

— Hexdline (@HexdlineNews) January 31, 2025

The flight, which took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport around 6:30 PM local time, was en-route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially reported that two people were aboard, but later revised the number to six. Flight tracking data from FlightAware shows the plane had arrived in Philadelphia from Florida earlier that evening.

The Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) offering support and a helpline for Mexican nationals affected by the crash.

As investigators begin to assess the cause of the crash, local authorities have urged residents to remain cautious as the area remains a potential danger zone due to the wreckage and ongoing fires.

By Vafa Guliyeva