2 Critical As More Injuries Reported In Philadelphia Plane Crash

PHILADELPHIA — As investigators probe Friday's deadly plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia, the number of people injured has increased again. Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed that 24 people were injured in the crash Monday afternoon. That number was initially reported at 19, then increased to 22 Sunday before authorities Monday afternoon said two dozen people were hurt.

Four of those people are hospitalized, and two of them are in critical condition, the mayor said Monday. Their identities have not been released by officials.

"Please continue to lift them, their families, and loves ones in prayer," she said. "Our city stands with them and every victim of this tragedy."

In addition to the 24 injured, seven people were killed after the small medical plane crashed near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Blvd after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The death toll includes all six people aboard the air ambulance, including a child, and a person on the ground, according to Philadelphia officials.

Aboard the plane were Lizaeth Murillo Osuna, 31; Valentina Guzman Murillo, 11; Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales; co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez; Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo; and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla.

All those on the plane were Mexican citizens.

According to information released by Shriners Children’s, the patient had received care from Shriners Children's Philadelphia and was being transported back to her home country in Mexico when the crash happened. The flight was heading to Springfield, Missouri and operated Med Jets USA, doing business as Mexico-based Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.

A representative for the National Transportation Safety Board said investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder, also known as the "black box," of the Learjet 55 that crashed at 6:06 p.m. Friday. The black box was found at the site of initial impact, at a depth of 8 feet, officials said. Also recovered was the airplane’s enhanced ground proximity warning system, which could also contain flight data.

Investigators also recovered both of the plane's engines, while wreckage recovery continues Monday.

Wreckage will be sent to a secure location in Delaware for further examination, while the black box and enhanced ground proximity warning system will be sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory in Washington, DC for evaluation.

The NTSB is asking anyone with video or imagery from the crash to email their footage to witness@ntsb.gov.

As of Monday morning, all lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard are open to vehicular traffic, while Cottman Avenue remains fully closed between Bustleton Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. This includes sidewalks and the Cottman Avenue bridge over the Boulevard.

Pedestrians, SEPTA commuters, and residents who normally use Cottman Avenue will need to consider using an alternate pedestrian route or mode of travel.

SEPTA riders traveling south on Roosevelt Boulevard should exit the bus at or near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Bleigh Avenue or Roosevelt Boulevard and Friendship Street. Bleigh Avenue and Friendship Street will be the alternate pedestrian travel routes to access Bustleton Avenue.

SEPTA riders traveling north on Roosevelt Boulevard should exit the bus at Friendship Street and use the signalized pedestrian crossing to cross Roosevelt Boulevard. Friendship Street will be the alternate pedestrian travel route to Bustleton Avenue.

Drivers should expect delays in the roads and use caution when traveling.

A Shelter at Samuel Fels High School, 5500 Langdon St., is being operated by our Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross – Southeastern Pennsylvania. Red Cross disaster workers are on hand to assist anyone displaced by the crash.

Call 1-800 Red Cross for property damage or for help in filing a claim.

Below are important phone numbers for those impacted by the crash:

• Shelter — 800-733-2767
• PECO — 800-841-4141
• PGW — 215-235-1212
• Philadelphia Water Department — 215-685-6300
• Mental Health Help — 215-685-6440
• Community Engagement — 215-873-3743
• Bishop Wilfred Speakes — 267-246-8677
• Imam Quaiser Abdullah — 215-823-9782
• Business Support — 215-683-2100

Residents affected by the crash can text RECOVERPHL to 888-777 to get the latest updates and information sent straight to their phones.

City officials are hosting a town hall at 7 p.m. Wednesday at S. Solis-Cohen Elementary School, 7001 Horrocks St.