Local officials confirmed an Amazon cargo aircraft accident Sunday in which at least five people died and five more were injured when the plane ran off an airport runway at Miami International Airport.
The plane came in from San Juan, Puerto Rico and crashed over the run way at approximately 2 p.m. local time. It then passed by a truck road which is used by those who load and unload goods at the airport allowing it to cross a road and then hit vehicles, that set it ablaze.
Miami Dade County police said five died and three more were in critical condition in the incident. Two more people were admitted to hospital for less serious injuries.
It was not yet known whether anybody involved in the deaths was on the aircraft or was traveling in the vehicles that were impacted by the aircraft, authorities said.
The crash set a new large-scale emergency response system in motion throughout the airport area with thick black smoke rising from the wreckage as the aircraft was engulfed in flames. The effect also resulted in some persons being left trapped.
After the crash, the Amazon aircraft’s pilot and co-pilot remained in the aircraft’s cockpit, according to Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah. Emergency workers tried to free people who were stuck within vehicles.
After crossing the roadway the aircraft pinned at least one person under a vehicle, requiring firefighters to come out and free the victim, the rescue agency said.
The crash caused a major disruption around Miami International Airport, prompting emergency personnel to rush to the scene and try to secure the area.
Investigators must investigate the aircraft, runway condition and weather among other factors as they inch closer to finding out what led to the cargo aircraft overrunning the runway and smashing cars.