A pilot and co-pilot were killed after an Air Canada Express passenger aircraft collided with a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, according to media reports.
Several others, including firefighters, were injured in the incident that occurred on the runway.
The collision reportedly took place at around 11:38 pm local time when the incoming CRJ-900 aircraft struck a fire truck on runway 4. The aircraft was arriving from Montreal and was operated by regional carrier Jazz Airlines. Reports said the aircraft hit the vehicle at a speed of about 24 miles per hour (39 kmph).
At least 13 people were injured in the accident, including two firefighters. Officials said a sergeant and an officer who were inside the fire truck suffered broken limbs and were taken to a hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
There were 72 passengers and four crew members on board the Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft. Their conditions were being evaluated after the collision. Videos circulating on social media showed the front section of the plane damaged and tilted while passengers were being evacuated. The footage, however, could not be independently verified.
Following the incident, the US Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop at LaGuardia Airport due to the emergency. Arriving flights were either diverted to other airports or returned to their origin. A notice to airmen also indicated that the airport could remain closed until 1800 GMT, though officials had not yet confirmed the full extent of the damage.
Reports said the fire truck had been cleared to cross runway 4 to respond to a United 737 Max aircraft that had declared an emergency on the ground due to a strange odour that was making flight attendants sick. The collision happened as the CRJ-900 was heading toward the gate amid heavy weather in the area.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.