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鈥楢 punch in the gut': Philadelphia EMTs recall joking with crew, patient before fatal medical plane crash

What started as a routine transport for two EMTs turned into heartbreak when the medical jet carrying their young patient crashed just minutes after takeoff

PHILADELPHIA 鈥 For EMTs Alex Salas and Victor Benitez, their dispatch on Jan. 31 initially seemed like a routine call. The two were en route to Shriners Children鈥檚 Philadelphia to pick up Valentina Guzman Murillo.

Salas and Benitez arrived at the hospital, where they met Valentina Guzman Murillo and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna. Valentina had spent five months at Shriners Children鈥檚 Philadelphia receiving treatment for a life-threatening illness. That day marked her long-awaited release, and she was preparing to return home to Mexico, reported.

鈥淲e got the patient on board. The staff was super happy,鈥 Salas said. 鈥淭hey were sad because she was leaving but they were happy because she was finally going home, especially the mom.鈥

Salas recalled the staff鈥檚 mix of joy and sadness as they loaded the patient, excited for her long-awaited return home. At the airport, they joked with the pilot before the paramedic fist-bumped them goodbye. The pilot gave a small salute and that was the last they saw of them.

Salas recalled that he and Benitez watched the plane take off, soaring overhead about ten minutes later. Shortly after, around 6 p.m., they heard reports of a massive fire on Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, roughly three miles from the airport. It wasn鈥檛 long before they learned that the Learjet 55 had crashed, triggering a devastating explosion.

鈥淟ater on, our boss calls us to tell us that unfortunately, it was our patient that we just loaded,鈥 Salas said. 鈥淚t was like a punch in the gut. We were just interacting with them. Joking.鈥

All six people who were aboard the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance were killed. In addition, one person on the ground who was in a car was killed and 19 others were injured in the crash.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and 草莓影视.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.