New York’s LaGuardia Airport has been closed until further notice after an Air Canada plane collided with a firefighting vehicle responding to a separate incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for the airport late on Sunday night and said there was a “high” likelihood it would be extended.
CBS News, the BBC US partner, reported the plane was arriving from Montreal and had landed. It had slowed to about 24mph when it collided with a vehicle from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport.
The plane – a CRJ 900 model that had about 70 people on board – suffered significant damage.
Local media report there are a number of injuries.
Video footage on social media showed the aircraft, which is operated by Air Canada’s regional partner Jazz aviation, coming to a rest with its nose upturned.
LaGuardia Airport also confirmed the incident in a statement, stating the aircraft “struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate incident”.
“Emergency response protocols were immediately activated. The Port Authority Police Department is on scene along with the agency’s Chairman and Executive Director.”
A preliminary passenger list showed there were 76 people on board which included four crew members, Jazz aviation said in a statement.
In a statement on X, the New York City Police Department told people to “expect delays and avoid the area if possible”.
“Due to an emergency incident at LaGuardia Airport, all streets and highway exits into the airport are closed until further notice.”
The New York City Fire Department posted on X telling people to “expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays and emergency personnel near LaGuardia Airport”.
“Use alternate routes,” the post on X said.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation team.
By BBC News
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