Photo courtesy of Fox 4 News
PHILADELPHIA – A diner near the site of a tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia was evacuated Friday evening after debris from the aircraft shattered a window and struck a patron.
The incident occurred at the Four Seasons Diner on Cottman Avenue, approximately half a mile from the crash site. Witnesses reported that a small metal fragment, believed to be part of the downed aircraft, pierced the restaurant’s window and hit a customer in the head. A piece of cardboard was later seen covering the damaged glass.
Details of the Crash
At approximately 6:30 p.m., a small jet carrying six people, including a pediatric patient, crashed near the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Bustleton Avenue. The aircraft, identified as a Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Shocking Moments Captured on Video
Footage captured the moment the debris entered the diner, striking a man and knocking off his hat. Initially fearing gunfire, the patron and other customers instinctively took cover behind the salad bar until learning moments later that a jet had crashed nearby.
Despite sustaining a head injury, the man was able to walk to an ambulance for medical evaluation after wiping away some blood. Fortunately, staff at the diner confirmed that he is expected to be okay.
Debris Scattered Across the Area
FOX 29’s Steve Keeley reported that a component believed to be a regulator from one of the jet’s oxygen tanks was found outside a neighboring McDonald’s.
In the aftermath of the crash, first responders and investigators worked tirelessly at the scene. The Four Seasons Diner was among the first businesses in the area to reopen, welcoming back both local patrons and some of the officers who had been working around the clock.
