America struck by second air tragedy in two days

AMERICA suffered a second aviation tragedy within days when an air ambulance carrying a child who had undergone life-saving treatment crashed, killing seven.

- By Jaymi McCann

The medical jet, also transporting the girl's mother and four crew, fell from the sky shortly after take off and exploded into a fireball that engulfed several homes in a Philadelphia neighbourhood.

All six passengers were Mexican citizens and there was a further fatality when the plane stuck a car. Nineteen other people were injured. The crash on Friday night came just two days after the deadliest US air disaster in a generation which left 67 people dead in Washington DC.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences yesterday: "I mourn the passing of six Mexicans in the aviation accident in Philadelphia.

"Consular authorities are in constant contact with the families, I've asked the Foreign Affairs Secretary to support whatever is needed. My solidarity with their loved ones and friends."