A Delta Air Lines flight carrying 80 people flipped over upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving passengers in shock but miraculously alive. The aircraft, arriving from Minneapolis, crash-landed and overturned on the runway, prompting a swift emergency response.
‘Our plane crashed – It’s upside down’
John Nelson, a passenger on board, was among the first to share his terrifying experience. Posting a video to Facebook shortly after the crash, he described the moment the plane lost control.
“We skidded on our side, then flipped over on our back. There was a big fireball out the left side of the plane,” he recounted in an interview with CNN.
Despite the dramatic crash, all 76 passengers and four crew members survived. Eighteen individuals sustained injuries, but only a few are believed to be in serious condition. Emergency responders arrived promptly to ensure the safe evacuation of everyone on board.
Hanging upside down in shock
Witnesses inside the aircraft described the harrowing experience of being suspended from the ceiling after the plane overturned.
“We were upside down hanging like bats,” said Peter Koukov, a passenger who recounted the confusion and chaos following the impact.
Pete Carlson, another survivor, recalled how an ordinary landing quickly turned into a nightmare. “One minute you’re landing, kind of waiting to see your friends and your people, and the next minute you’re physically upside down,” he told reporters.
As panic set in, passengers scrambled to free themselves. Mr Nelson managed to unbuckle his seatbelt and drop to the floor. “Some people were kind of hanging and needed help… and others were able to get down on their own,” he explained.
Despite the fear and confusion, many passengers pulled together in an incredible show of teamwork. Mr Carlson described how people supported one another in those crucial moments. “What I saw was everyone on that plane suddenly became very close, in terms of how to help one another, how to console one another.”
Emergency evacuation and response
Footage shared on social media showed passengers escaping from the aircraft as emergency crews sprayed the overturned plane with foam. Airport staff assisted individuals through the exits, helping them move away from the aircraft to safety.
Ashley Zook, another passenger, filmed herself moments after escaping, expressing disbelief: “I was just in a plane crash. Oh my God.”
Meanwhile, outside the airport, some travellers remained unaware of the incident. Diane Perry, who was checking in for a flight, only learned about the crash when her family called to check if she was safe. “It was kind of ironic that we were in the airport and didn’t know that there was a crash outside,” she remarked.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Two runways will remain closed for several days, and passengers have been advised to expect delays as experts assess the scene.
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Grateful to be alive
For the survivors, the relief of making it out alive is overwhelming. Mr Nelson admitted that he was still processing the event. “I’m stressed, nervous, shaky still,” he said, reflecting on the near-tragedy. “It’s amazing that we’re still here.”
Mr Carlson, sporting a cut on his head, echoed this sentiment: “It’s really amazing to be alive. I’m a little balder than I was this morning.”
As authorities work to determine the cause of the accident, passengers and their families are left counting their blessings, grateful for the swift response that ensured their survival.
