A small plane crash onto a highway resulted in the death of two passengers on Friday afternoon in South Florida.
According to CBS, the incident involved a Bombardier Challenger 600 jet carrying five people, attempting an emergency landing on Interstate 75 near Naples.
The Federal Aviation Administration stated that the crash occurred around 3:15 p.m. and the Naples Airport Authority spokesperson, Robin King, revealed that the plane had taken off from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, destined for Naples.
The pilot, citing engine failure, had requested an emergency landing.
King also revealed that three people managed to exit the plane. Despite the emergency response, two fatalities were confirmed by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
It remains unclear whether the victims were passengers on the plane or individuals on the ground. Three of the five people on board were rescued from the wreckage alive.
Witnessed by onlookers, the aircraft burst into flames and generated a plume of smoke.
A witness shared video footage on social media, saying, “Had a plane just land RIGHT in front of us on I-75.”
The crash led to the closure of southbound lanes on Interstate 75 at mile marker 111, with northbound lanes closed at the 105-mile marker.
