Two people have died and at least two others have been seriously injured after an Air Canada flight crashed into an emergency vehicle at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
An Air Canada flight passenger plane collided with a firetruck on the runway of the airport late Sunday, the Port Authority has confirmed.
New York Police Department's media affairs office confirmed the collision between a plane and a Port Authority of New York vehicle, but did not provide information on injuries.
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia has confirmed the plane's pilot and copilot of the flight have died in the incident.
A sergeant and officer have broken limbs and are in stable condition at a hospital, according to early information from sources.
There were 76 passengers and four crew members onboard the plane, which struck the vehicle at approximately 24 miles per hour (39kph), according to FlightRadar24.
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) put into place a ground stop, initially closing the airport until 5.30am GMT.
The Port Authority has said the airport will remain closed to facilitate the response and allow for a thorough investigation.
The incident between the Air Canada jet and firetruck has injured four, NBC has reported
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Air traffic control audio from LiveATC.net details how the firetruck was cleared to cross the runway to respond to a United flight which was reporting a strange odour.
Panicked commands to stop the emergency vehicle are then heard as it became clear it would crash with the Air Canada flight.
"JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle. Just hold position. I know you can’t move. Vehicles are responding to you now," an air traffic controller was heard saying immediately after the incident.
The plane was a Bombardier CRJ-900 twin-jet aircraft flown by Air Canada Express from Montreal.
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LaGuardia airport has closed as a result of the incident, with flights being diverted to nearby airportsQ
| REUTERSIt was being operated by Jazz Aviation, Air Canada's regional partner.
The accident happened on Runway 4, at about 11.45pm ET, the FAA said.
LaGuardia's website showed arriving planes had been either diverted to other airports or returned to their original destination.
Footage of the incident shows the jet with its cockpit high and the underside of it fuselage exposed and damaged.
PICTURED: Emergency services working around a damaged firetruck
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Audio heard from LiveATC.net detailed how air traffic controllers ordered the firetruck to stop
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The National Transportation Safety Board said it was gathering information regarding the situation, and did not provide any other details.
New York's emergency management authority warned to people to expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays, and emergency personnel near the airport.
LaGuardia served ovetr 30 million annual passengers in 2024, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Earlier, LaGuardia warned of flight disruptions due to weather conditions, with light rain and fog hitting the area.