Flight Attendant Survives Being Ejected from Air Canada Plane in Fatal Crash with Firetruck at LaGuardia Airport: Reports

The flight attendant was found in her jump seat outside of the plane that crashed in New York City on March 22

NEED TO KNOW

A flight attendant was found alive in her seat outside of a plane that crashed at LaGuardia Airport on the night of March 22

Two pilots died, and dozens were injured

An investigation is ongoing

A flight attendant was found alive in a jump seat after being ejected from a passenger plane that crashed into a firetruck at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, according to reports.

A pilot and co-pilot died, and more than 40 people were injured after the Jazz Aviation flight operated on behalf of Air Canada hit a Port Authority vehicle at LaGuardia Airport on the night of Sunday, March 22, NBC News and CBS News reported.

The collision occurred as the Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle was responding to a separate incident on runway four at the airport, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and LaGuardia Airport officials confirmed on X.

One of the injured was a flight attendant. Sources told NBC affiliate WNBC that the flight attendant was in the jump seat towards the front of the plane. Following the crash, the woman was found strapped in her seat after it had been ejected from the aircraft, the outlet and CNN reported. The employee was hurt, but is expected to survive.

“Emergency response protocols were immediately activated,” the airport stated, while confirming that it will remain “closed to facilitate the response and allow for a thorough investigation.”

Flight 8646 from Montreal to LaGuardia had 72 passengers and four crew members on board the CRJ-900 aircraft, NBC News and CNN reported, citing Air Canada.

“The pilot and co-pilot of the Jazz Aviation flight were pronounced deceased,” a Port Authority spokesperson confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. “Additionally, 41 people were transported to the hospital, 39 people on the aircraft and two ARFF officers.”

The agency added, “The National Transportation Safety Board is on site. The Port Authority Police Department is working closely with our airline partners as well as federal authorities, and will provide additional updates as more details become available.”

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia confirmed the deaths in a news conference. Initial reports suggest that of the 41 people transported to the hospital, 32 have since been released, according to NBC News.

“Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased and notifications are being made by Air Canada’s care team at this time,” said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia, the outlet reported.

Garcia said two people who were in the firetruck are in the hospital in stable condition, according to CNN. The vehicle had been on the runway responding to reports of an unknown odor in the cockpit of another plane when it was struck.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Jazz employees, and our deepest condolences go out to the entire Jazz community and their families,” Air Canada said in a statement on Monday. “Air Canada cannot confirm the exact number of injuries or if there are other fatalities at this time.”

The NTSB and FAA will be leading an investigation into the crash, the FAA confirmed in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Following the fatal crash, LaGuardia Airport will remain closed until at least 2 p.m. ET, CNN reported.