Two people have been killed after an Air Canada plane crashed into a fire truck after landing at New York's LaGuardia airport.
Earlier today, it was revealed that Air Canada Express Flight 8646, operated by Jazz Aviation, had collided with a fire truck after landing at the airport from Montreal, Canada. The crash is understood to have taken place late at 11:40 p.m on Sunday night (Monday morning UK time).
The plane is believed to have been travelling between 24 and 30 mph when it collided with the vehicle.
In a statement, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the vehicle had been 'responding to a separate incident' at the time of the collision, which was reportedly a situation on a United Airlines flight resulting from an odour reported onboard (via The Guardian).
According to NBC, sources familiar with the investigation have now confirmed that the aircraft's pilot and co-pilot have both been killed in the collision.
This has since been confirmed by Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia, who told reporters: "Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased."
Jazz Aviation has also confirmed that 72 passengers were on board Flight 8646, with 'more than a dozen' understood to have been injured in the crash and taken to nearby hospitals.
Garcia added that 41 passengers and crew members were taken to the hospital in the aftermath of the collision, with 32 people having been discharged.
However, she did confirm that some of the injuries sustained were 'serious'.
Meanwhile, two officers were stationed at the fire truck when the crash occurred, with NBC adding that a sergeant and an officer had been taken to the hospital with broken limbs.
According to The Independent, the incident is being investigated by the National Transport Safety Board.
LaGuardia Airport will remain closed until at least 2pm today (23 March), according to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Meanwhile, New York's Police Department has warned people to 'expect delays and avoid the area if possible'.
"Due to an emergency incident at LaGuardia Airport, all streets and highway exits into the airport are closed until further notice," a statement from the force said.
"Expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays & emergency personnel near LaGuardia Airport in Queens. Use alternate routes," added the New York City Fire Department.
In 2025, LaGuardia served over 30 million annual passengers, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport.
Brenna Cooper