Boeing Aircraft Slides Into Florida River, All Passengers Onboard Survive Except Three Pets

All onboard a Boeing 737 that slid into the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, have been reported as safe and accounted for. The incident occurred on Friday evening when the plane, a chartered flight, left the runway upon landing. However, three pets are said to have died in the incident.

All onboard a Boeing 737 aircraft survived an incident that saw the plane slide off of the runway and into the St. Johns River as it was attempting to land at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville in northern Florida on Friday night, CNN reports. The flight, which has been described by USA Today as a “military-chartered plane” carrying 143 persons, was inbound from Cuba’s Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.

#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

Speaking to local CNN affiliate WJXT, Captain Mike Connor, the commanding officer of the station, said, “No fatalities. There were minor injuries. Bumps and bruises. No broken bones that I’m aware of or any life-threatening injuries.”

“I think it’s a miracle. We could be talking about a different story this evening, so I think there’s a lot to say about the professionalism of the folks that helped the passengers off the airplane because it very well could be worse,” he added.

While there were thankfully no human casualties as a result of the incident, USA Today has reported that three pets were killed when the cargo hold area became submerged in the river.

Speaking to the outlet, Captain Connor explained that rescuing any of these pets was the “second priority” of the first responders involved in the incident.

The cause of the crash is still being investigated.

[Image Source: Wikimedia/ Chad McDonald]