A 10-year-old boy is on the road to recovery after sustaining serious injuries in a tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. The incident occurred on a Friday afternoon near Roosevelt Mall, where the boy, identified as Andre Howard Jr., was in the car with his father and two younger siblings when the aircraft went down.
Andre’s father, Andre Howard Jr., shared with ABC 7 that they were in the process of picking up donuts when chaos erupted around them. Eyewitness accounts describe a scene filled with panic as metal debris rained down, striking vehicles and igniting fires. In a moment of bravery, young Andre, known affectionately as Trey, instinctively shielded his younger sister from the falling wreckage.
Howard recounted the harrowing moment when he turned to find his son injured, with metal embedded in his head. In a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding, he used socks and a shirt from a bystander while a police officer rushed them to the hospital. Upon arrival, Trey underwent emergency surgery, with medical staff warning the family about the severity of his condition and the possibility that he might not survive.
Against the odds, Trey has shown remarkable resilience. He is now awake and communicating with his family, even expressing concern about missing the Super Bowl. His first question was whether he had missed the game, to which his father reassured him that he hadn’t. In a touching moment, Trey asked, “Daddy, did I save my sister?” His father praised his son’s heroism, saying that Trey was simply trying to help when he thought he might have lost his life.
The crash involved a Jet Rescue Air Ambulance that had just taken off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Reports indicate that a child aboard the flight had been receiving treatment for a life-threatening condition and was being transported back to Mexico. The accident resulted in at least 24 injuries and claimed the lives of seven individuals, including all six people on the plane and one person on the ground.
In light of the tragedy, the boy’s school has initiated a fundraiser to support Trey and his family during this difficult time. The family has expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received from the community.
In a show of solidarity, Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown reached out on social media, calling Trey a hero and promising to visit him soon, saying, “Playing for you on Sunday, my man.” As the community rallies around the Howard family, they remain hopeful for Trey’s continued recovery.