Local News
Video shows person on fire after small plane crashes outside Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia
A small private jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, resulting in multiple casualties and widespread destruction, according to local officials.
The exact number of fatalities has not yet been confirmed, though reports from the scene indicate at least one death, with body parts visible among the wreckage.
Several injured individuals have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The incident occurred approximately 30 seconds after the aircraft took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, located less than three miles from the crash site.
The plane, identified as a Learjet 55 registered to a medical transport company operating as Med Jets, was en route to Springfield, Missouri.
Flight data indicates the jet departed at 6:06 p.m., reaching an altitude of 1,600 feet before it vanished from radar.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged the tragedy in a statement, pledging full support from state resources. โWe are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,โ Shapiro said.
The plane went down near a busy intersection close to Roosevelt Mall in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood, igniting multiple homes and vehicles.
Witnesses described a scene of devastation, with fires raging in residential areas and emergency responders working to control the blaze.
Michael Schiavone, 37, a resident of the nearby Mayfair neighborhood, recalled the terrifying moment. โI was sitting at home when I heard a loud bang, and the house shook like an earthquake,โ he said.
Upon reviewing footage from his home security camera, Schiavone described the planeโs descent as resembling a missile. โThere was a large explosionโI thought we were under attack for a second.โ
Philadelphiaโs Office of Emergency Management confirmed road closures in the affected area as first responders secured the scene.
Cellphone footage captured moments after the crash revealed debris scattered across the intersection, with flames and thick black smoke rising into the sky.
The video also captured the sounds of sirens and distressed onlookers, highlighting the panic and confusion in the immediate aftermath.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that two people were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in the investigation and is currently gathering information to determine the cause of the accident.
This incident remains a developing story, with authorities expected to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. โ A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas โTJโ Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting โpedophile protectorโ at the former president, an apparent reference to the administrationโs handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
โAs far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,โ Sabula told The Post. โBut I am concerned about my job. I believe Iโve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.โ
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is โa father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,โ and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses โduring this time of uncertainty.โ Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabulaโs actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.