A late-night aviation incident has left dozens injured after a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canadacollided with an airport firefighting vehicle on a runway.
The crash occurred around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday on Runway 4, as the aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting truck that was responding to a separate emergency, according to airport authorities.
There were 72 passengers and four crew members onboard at the time of the incident. Officials confirmed that 39 individuals, including both passengers and crew, were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, although some have since been discharged.
Two Port Authority personnel in the fire truck—Sgt. Michael Orsillo and Officer Adrian Baez—also sustained injuries. However, authorities described their condition as non-life-threatening.
Providing further details, Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia disclosed that both the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft are based in Canada.
One of the pilots has been identified as Antoine Forest by his great aunt, Jeannette Gagnier. She described him as someone who had long dreamed of becoming a pilot and saw her as a grandmother figure. According to his professional profile, Forest has worked with two airlines over the past five years, building experience in the aviation industry.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collision, while aviation authorities are expected to review safety procedures surrounding runway operations and emergency response coordination.
The incident has raised concerns about airport safety protocols, particularly in situations involving multiple emergency responses on active runways.
