A Boeing 737 jet arriving from the Guantanamo Bay military station in Cuba, reportedly carrying 142 passengers and crew members, went off the runway at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and into the St. Johns River in Florida, on Friday evening.
Fire crews respond to an emergency involving a commercial jet in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday night. (WFOX-TV Jacksonville)
A “massive rescue response” was underway at the scene but there were no reported fatalities, Jacksonville’s WJXT-TV reported.
“Every person is alive and accounted for,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Twitter message. Two minor injuries were reported, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Twenty-one people were taken to a hospital, according to a reporter from WJXT.
#JSO Marine Unit was called to assist @NASJax_ in reference to a commercial airplane in shallow water. The plane was not submerged. Every person is alive and accounted for. pic.twitter.com/4n1Fyu5nTS
— Jax Sheriff’s Office (@JSOPIO) May 4, 2019
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry confirmed the initial details and said fire and rescue crews were at the scene. He added that the White House called to offer help while the situation was developing.
