Niamh Shackleton
The identities of a mother and daughter who were onboard a medical jet that crashed last week have been revealed.
On Friday (January 31), a medical jet carrying a child patient, her mother, and four others crashed very shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
The aircraft managed to make it around 1,500ft into the air before plummeting into a residential area.
The day after the devastating ordeal and officials confirmed that there were no survivors.
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Philadelphia Mayor, Cherelle Parker, said in a statement, as per BBC News: "A devastating plane crash occurred in Northeast Philadelphia near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman and Bustleton Avenues on Friday evening, January 31, 2025, at approximately 6:10 pm.
"A private Learjet 55 - a medical transportation jet - departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport with two passengers, a mother and daughter, and four crew members were killed in the tragic crash."
Now the mother and daughter have been identified as 11-year-old Valentina Guzman Murillo and her mom, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna, 31.
Speaking about their untimely passing, Shai Gold, a spokesman for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, said of Valentina, as per Mail Online: "She did her course of care. She was going home.
"She fought quite a lot to survive, and unfortunately, this tragedy on the way home."
Elsewhere, Mel Bower, a spokesperson for Shriners Children's Hospital where Valentina was being treated, said on the day of the crash: "It's extremely hard and extremely difficult, those that were involved directly in her care were very aware that she was going to be traveling home and there had actually been a sendoff for her today."
Captain Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, Copilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo, and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla also lost their lives in the ordeal.
All of the deceased hailed from Mexico.
As well as the six people onboard the plane, an additional person died as a result of the crash.
According to Parker, the individual – who is yet to be identified – was driving their car when the medical jet came crashing down.
Parker has also confirmed that 22 individuals were injured, CBS news reported yesterday (February 2).
Three of the injured are in critical condition.
Meanwhile, 11 residential buildings have been 'significantly damaged', says the news outlet.
Adam Thiel, managing director of the City of Philadelphia, said that it's 'possible there are still people who were affected by this event'.
"If there is somebody who you think might have been in this area and they're missing and they haven't checked in and you can't reach them or they live there – call 911," he went to urge.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].