Authorities reported that fifteen individuals were hospitalized after a skydiving plane veered off the runway and collided with the woods close to an airport in southern New Jersey on Wednesday evening.
The mishap occurred at Cross Keys Airport, roughly 21 miles from Philadelphia, and involved a Cessna 208B carrying 15 passengers. A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration stated that the incident is currently being investigated.
Overhead images of the accident reveal the aircraft in the forest, with numerous debris pieces in proximity. Firetrucks and other emergency response vehicles were present at the location.
Three people are being evaluated at Cooper University Hospital’s trauma center in Camden, New Jersey, and eight people with less severe injuries are being treated in its emergency department, Wendy A. Marano, a spokesperson for the hospital, said. Four other patients also with “minimal injuries” are waiting for further evaluation, she said. She wasn’t able to provide the exact nature of the injuries.
Members of the hospital’s EMS and trauma department were at the crash site, she said.
A person who answered the phone at Cross Keys Airport on Wednesday said he had no information and referred questions to Skydive Cross Keys, a commercial skydiving business located at the airport. Skydive Cross Keys didn’t immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment.
Gloucester County Emergency Management warned the public on its Facebook page to avoid the area in order to let emergency vehicles access the site.
