An Air Canada aircraft has reportedly collided with a vehicle on a taxiway at LaGuardia Airport late on Sunday night, leaving several people injured and forcing the airport to close.
The New York post has reported the vehicle was a fire truck which collided with the plane, leaving four firefighters “critically injured.” The Mirror US has reported that up to 60 people may have been injured.
The incident, is said to have taken place on Runway 4 within Delta’s terminal area at approximately 11:37 p.m., according to AeroCrewNews and NYCFireWire. All FDNY units are understood to have been deployed to the scene apart from the first-due engine company.
Flight-tracking data suggests the collision may have involved Air Canada CRJ flight AC8646 and a fire truck identified as Truck 1 as the aircraft attempted to cross runway 04/22.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a ground stop halting all flights at the airport, citing an emergency. The regulator’s notice indicated a high probability the halt would be extended, without providing further details.
Emergency services personnel allegedly remain on site working to make the area safe.
Passengers and airport workers described the scene as chaotic, with flights experiencing delays or cancellations.
Reports suggest the airport will stay shut until 2 p.m. on Monday, triggering significant travel disruption at one of New York City’s busiest transport hubs.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Officials have yet to confirm the identities or medical conditions of those who sustained injuries.
Videos circulating on social media showed evacuation and rescue operations under way at the airport following the collision, with one clip appearing to show the aircraft’s nose tilted upward at several degrees as passengers disembarked.
Authorities at the airport have been contacted for comment by the Express but are yet to issue a full statement on casualties or the circumstances of the collision.
