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. “We are offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly,” 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. “I was sitting at home when I heard a loud bang, and the house shook like an earthquake,” he said.
Upon reviewing footage from his home security camera, Schiavone described the plane’s descent as resembling a missile. “There was a large explosion—I thought we were under attack for a second.”
Philadelphia’s 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
61-year-old Cynthia Diekema killed by alligator during couple canoe trip in Polk County
Her husband attempted to intervene and rescue her, but the attack proved fatal.
A tragic and rare fatal alligator attack claimed the life of a 61-year-old woman in Polk County, Florida, during a canoeing trip with her husband on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Cynthia Diekema, a resident of Polk County, was canoeing with her husband at the mouth of Tiger Creek near Lake Kissimmee when their vessel drifted over a large alligator in approximately 2.5 feet of water.
Authorities say the animal thrashed violently, causing the canoe to overturn and throwing both occupants into the water.
Officials report that Diekema ended up on top of the alligator during the struggle and was bitten.
Her husband attempted to intervene and rescue her, but the attack proved fatal.
Diekema’s body was later recovered from the water.
FWC confirmed that two large alligators were captured in connection with the incident.
The first, an 11-foot-4-inch specimen believed to have been involved in the attack, was located and euthanized Tuesday night.
A second gator, estimated to be between 10 and 11 feet in length, was captured the following morning as a precaution.
“This is a devastating loss,” said Roger Young, executive director of the FWC, during a press briefing on Wednesday. He emphasized that while fatal alligator encounters are extremely uncommon, the tragedy underscores the importance of respecting Florida’s native wildlife.
In response to the incident, FWC has reiterated safety guidance for residents and visitors: avoid swimming in non-designated areas, especially at dawn or dusk, and keep pets and small children away from the water’s edge.
The investigation remains ongoing.