PHILADELPHIA (OSV News) — Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia is calling for prayer, saying his “heart sank” after learning of a fatal air crash in that city Jan. 31, just two days after a midair collision between a commercial jet and an Army helicopter near a Washington airport killed 67.
“This shocking tragedy comes with great loss, pain, and anxiety for the families of the crew and passengers as well as neighborhood residents and business owners whose evening was shattered with sudden violence,” said Archbishop Pérez in a statement. “We pray fervently that God will bring comfort and healing in this time of anguish.
The archbishop issued his statement a few hours after a medical flight departed Northeast Philadelphia Airport Jan. 31 at approximately 6 p.m. Minutes after takeoff, the Learjet 55 plunged into a major intersection in the city’s northeast section.
The jet struck near a 12-lane section of Roosevelt Boulevard (a portion of U.S. Route 1), a sprawling shopping mall, and a densely populated residential area. The fiery crash, which was captured on a number of security cameras and personal devices, sparked fires at a number of structures on the ground and left a wide debris field.
So far, officials have confirmed at least seven have died as a result of the crash.
Six of those killed were aboard the jet, which was operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. According to a spokesperson for the company, a female pediatric patient had traveled to Philadelphia for medical care and was returning to Mexico with her mother. Also on the Mexican-registered plane were a pilot, copilot, flight physician and paramedic.
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a statement that all six were Mexican nationals. Shriner’s Children’s Hospital said in a statement that it was “heartbroken” to confirm the patient had received care at their facility.
Philadelphia officials confirmed that a seventh person, in a car on the ground, was killed as well. Investigators, including officials from the National Transportation Safety Board, remain on the scene.
At least 19 people suffered injuries from the crash. As of Feb. 1, three remained hospitalized.
President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account that “more innocent souls” had been lost.
“Our people are totally engaged. First Responders are already being given credit for doing a great job,” he wrote, adding, “More to follow. God bless you all.”
Archbishop Pérez in his statement asked people to “unite in prayer and do what we can in the days ahead to share the compassionate love of Christ with those suffering as a result of tonight’s crash.”
He prayed particularly for the emergency personnel responding to the tragic scene.
“May our Blessed Mother wrap her protective mantle around the first responders working tirelessly to assist the injured, extinguish fires, and safeguard the community,” he said. “Our emergency personnel put themselves at great risk to serve us each day and they deserve our unending thanks.”
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