Resource town hall held for Northeast Philadelphia residents affected by deadly plane crash

As residents and businesses in Northeast Philadelphia are still recovering from the deadly medical jet crash that shook the community back in January, state and local officials held a resource town hall to offer help to those affected by the tragedy.

It’s been nearly three weeks since seven people were killed and 24 people were injured when a medical jet crashed into the middle of Cottman Avenue last month.

Officials said more than 360 properties are believed to have been damaged by the crash and estimate that hundreds of families were impacted.

On Thursday night, dozens of residents and business owners attended a resource town hall at Northeast High School, coordinated by State Representative Jared Solomon, to remind residents that they have not been forgotten.

“We want to make sure we’re there for people now and into the future because it’s going to take a long time to come back from this,” Rep. Solomon said.

The room was filled with tables set up by state and community organizations to provide resources for mental health, food insecurity, insurance claims, and even prayer stations.

According to Action News at 10, last week, five local organizations banded together to create the Northeast Service Collaborative to provide resources, behavioral health services, and counseling for those affected by the crash.

Delores Brooks from Northeast Philadelphia said the aftermath of the crash has been traumatic for her.

“I’m in counseling now because I have nightmares about this. I have anxiety attacks about this. Every time I see a plane, I’m looking up in the air to see which way that plane is going,” Brooks said.

Representative Solomon, according to Action News at 10, is working on legislation that would create funding for businesses impacted by the incident and a nonprofit for residents in the area.

Earlier this week, PennDOT crews started construction on parts of the roadway in Northeast Philadelphia, including filling the 8-foot crater left where the medical jet crashed into Cottman Avenue on January 31.