The Delta Airlines jet that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving fifteen people injured, was tracked making an emergency U-turn on the flight map before reaching its destination.
Disturbing photographs and footage have emerged online, showing the overturned airplane on the tarmac surrounded by emergency personnel, while another video captures dense smoke rising from the wreckage. Delta Flight 4819, flying from Minneapolis to Toronto, was recorded by FlightRadar24 making the sharp turn over Brampton, en route to Markham, then careening towards the airport.
An official warning was issued about an “incident” at the airport: “Toronto Pearson is aware of an incident upon landing involving a Delta Airlines plane arriving from Minneapolis,” followed by “Emergency teams are responding. All passengers and crew are accounted for.”
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Toronto’s emergency medical services confirmed at least fifteen injuries. John Nelson, a passenger, posted a harrowing account on Facebook: “We just landed… Our plane crashed… It’s upside down. The fire department is on-site.” Nelson described how people were evacuating through the smoke, but “most people appear to be okay”, reports The Mirror.
Delta issued a statement acknowledging the incident involving Endeavor Flight 4819 from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Toronto-Pearson International Airport, stating: “Delta is aware of reports of Endeavor Flight 4819 operating from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Toronto-Pearson International Airport as involved in an incident. We are working to confirm any details and will share the most current information on news.delta.com as soon as it becomes available.”
Pearson International Airport experienced significant flight delays due to heavy snowfall over the weekend. The airport posted on Sunday: “We are in for another weekend of winter weather. Our surface maintenance specialists are hard at work clearing the airfield so we can keep planes moving safely. Significant weather events may cause airlines to cancel or delay flights.”
It remains uncertain whether the heavy snowfall contributed to the plane crash, which happened hours after the airport provided an update on a clear runway.
