Police chief describes scene after plane crash at New Jersey's Cross Keys Airport: "It's pretty unbelievable"
McBride said officers tried to keep everyone calm and victims were trying to help each other.
"Screaming in pain, yelling for help, they're covered in jet fuel or airline fuel and just trying to navigate between fallen trees," McBride said.
Officials said 14 of the people on board were taken to either Cooper Hospital or Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill. Three people are in critical condition, and one person declined medical treatment.
McBride said the pilot was trapped and emergency responders had to cut him out.
"It's just amazing that where you see a plane full of 15 people fall out of the sky and you have 15 survivors," McBride said. "It's pretty unbelievable."
McBride said the plane looked like a pile of metal stuck in the trees. He said crews had to cut trees and battle tough terrain to get to the wreckage and help people.
"There was debris spread out throughout that entire area where the victims were lying all over as well," McBride said. "The plane was completely mangled."
Officials said as chaotic as the scene was, it was controlled chaos as their training kicked in. Emergency responders recently completed a mass casualty training exercise at the same airport.
The plane was operated by Skydive Cross Keys. In a statement, the company said its team "remains focused on supporting those involved and assisting investigators."
The pilot is "highly experienced," the statement says, adding that the plane was up to date on all routine maintenance and had recently undergone an FAA inspection.
A spokesperson for the company said, "We feel so relieved there was no loss of life; the outcome could have been much worse. We're incredibly thankful for the skill and composure of our pilot, whose actions helped keep everyone alive. We're also deeply grateful to the emergency responders who arrived so quickly and took such great care of everyone on board. The outpouring of support from the skydiving community and from so many people who have jumped with us over the years has truly meant the world to our team."
The company says the pilot decided to do an emergency landing and was unable to decelerate fully, which is why the plane ran off the runway and into the woods.
The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Monroe Township Police Department and the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
People Who Got Divorced After 10+ Years Of Marriage Are Sharing Why, And My Heart Is Heavy
When you get hitched, you'd like to think it's 'til death do you part, but sometimes happily ever after isn't in the cards. Reddit user sakiliya asked, "Divorcees who were married over a decade: what ended your marriage?" Here are the most heartbreaking stories: 1."We were roommates. Divorce was the best thing that ever happened to me." —u/reedzilla76 2."After 12 years and three kids, I caught her having an affair. Her response? Why can't you just be happy that I found someone I like?" —u/AleWatcher 3."Me. I was growing apart from her, but I never brought it up. Never talked to her about it. Didn't try to change it. She did everything right, and I was a bad husband." —u/armymdic00 4."My ex-wife thought I was her competition. Every time I made something good happen for us, she thought it was an attack against her." —u/GlumClerk9785 5."I grew. He didn't. Our original relationship dynamic didn't work anymore." —u/CautiousSwordfish 6."I ended up realizing I wasn't just married to him, I was also married to his mother." —u/Riyeko 7."After 12 years, she decided that 'in sickness and in health' no longer applied to her." —u/RealSharpNinja 8."No dates, no vacations, no solo time together, no compliments, no romance. I slowly, over time, lost the energy to try to fight for us. I can't live the rest of my life without ever being taken dancing…" —u/FleurSea 9."He was nicer to other people, constantly blamed me for his issues, didn't take any accountability, and I was over it. I didn't want to live the remainder of my life that way." —u/Humble_Ad4397 10."I was the only one trying, and I decided to stop trying too." —u/MissingMagnolia 11."Textbook 'grew apart.' Looking back, I realize I married someone whose core values weren't compatible with mine. At the time, I saw myself as easygoing and adaptable, so I figured we could overcome those differences, because love conquers all, right? Spoiler alert, no, it doesn't. In reality, I spent two decades losing my identity. We both felt very alone in our relationship and ultimately could not repair the distance." —u/CatNapCate 12."Married for 15 years. We weren't right for each other from the beginning, but we had kids, and we didn't want to hurt them by getting divorced. I often describe my first marriage as being like a plane that was doomed to crash, and it just took a long time to find a place to put it down gently." —u/wejustdontknowdude 13."We started being an open marriage, and she forgot to tell me." —u/TheEndless89 14."Workaholic habits. Great provider, lousy spouse." —u/Rare-Group-1149 15."I think divorces are like motorcycle accidents in that there is not one, but a combination of things that, without only one or two, might happen differently. The moment that truly ended it for me was when my ex-wife was so offended that she screamed at our therapist and accused him of being unprofessional and unethical for saying that we shouldn't get divorced." —u/gduba 16."Our daughter was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I discovered my partner was trying to start a new replacement family on the side." —u/RetroDadOnReddit 17."The slow fade of intimacy. We stopped talking around year 12. Became more like roommates who occasionally shared a bed. Tried counseling for two years, but you can't force someone to want to connect." —u/Charming3-Angel 18."I never planned to get divorced! Six months after the fact, I found out he took all our savings and bought a farm. He told me I wasn't welcome there, and he might move a girlfriend in with him someday. So divorce it was." —u/amyayou 19."Letting all the small things get swept under the rug instead of working through them. Ignoring major red flags because of love. We were different people after 10 years of growth." —u/Square-Heat-3758 20."We stopped being teammates and started feeling like opponents." —u/MohammadAbir Divorced people, what ended your marriage? Share your story in the comments or using the anonymous form below.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
The Paradox Of Power: 3 Fears That Hinder Allyship In The Workplace
Shot of a woman posing with a chalk illustration of flexing muscles against a dark background In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, allyship and inclusion aren't just buzzwords; they're essential pillars for innovation, growth, and a truly equitable work environment. Yet, for many in positions of power, the path to becoming an effective ally is paved with unseen obstacles – not malicious intent, but deeply ingrained fears that subtly, yet powerfully, hold them back. Understanding these "fear stories" is the critical first step in fostering genuine allyship. The journey to becoming an inclusive leader often demands a paradoxical mindset: embracing vulnerability while wielding influence, and stepping back to uplift others while maintaining one's own standing. There are three key fears that frequently trip up even the most well-intentioned individuals. All Risk, No Reward: The Vulnerability Vortex One of the most significant barriers to allyship is the perception that the risks outweigh the rewards. As Jennifer Brown, author of How to Be an Inclusive Leader, highlights, "it is a big ask for leaders to be more visible and open themselves up to being scrutinized in an unforgiving environment." This scrutiny often manifests as a fear of vulnerability – of making mistakes, admitting ignorance, showing weakness, or being perceived as inauthentic. The reality is, mistakes are inevitable. You will say the wrong thing, use outdated language, or commit a microaggression. That's part of the learning curve in allyship. The crucial element isn't avoiding errors, which is impossible, but rather owning them, apologizing sincerely, and committing to improvement. This willingness to be imperfect fosters trust and demonstrates a genuine commitment to the journey of inclusion. Furthermore, admitting "I don't know" can feel counterintuitive for leaders. Yet, true allyship demands this humility. Pretending to have all the answers, especially concerning the lived experiences of others, is not only disingenuous but actively harmful. It's about asking thoughtful, open-ended questions and actively educating oneself, rather than centering one's own experiences. For instance, if a colleague of color shares an experience of racial bias, responding with emotional upset (even if valid) can shift the focus back to the person in power, burdening the individual seeking support. True allyship requires processing those emotions elsewhere, maintaining focus on the person who needs support. There's also the fear of showing weakness. Leaders often feel compelled to project an image of unwavering competence. However, authentic strength lies in vulnerability. Sharing struggles or uncertainties allows for deeper human connection and creates space for open dialogue. It signals that you're a fellow human on a learning journey, not a flawless savior. People are often drawn to authenticity and imperfection more than perceived perfection. Finally, the fear of being seen as "trying too hard" or having ulterior motives can stifle nascent efforts. While sincerity is paramount, early enthusiasm for allyship might sometimes appear "messy." The key is ensuring actions genuinely center the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, rather than being performative. True allyship is about consistent, selfless action, especially when it's challenging. Status Threat: The Zero-Sum Fallacy Inclusion initiatives, particularly those focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), can trigger a "status threat" among majority groups. As Harvard Business Review explains, those who have historically benefited from being in the majority may perceive DEI as a zero-sum game, fearing that gains for minority groups necessarily mean losses for them. Mishel Horta, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at DHL Express Americas, uses a powerful analogy: "It is not about us versus them, it's not a zero-sum game. It is about broadening the flashlight focus beyond the dominant group, they are still centered. It is about sharing and broadening the focus of the light with others outside of the initial focus. We all benefit from being seen by the light." This reframing is crucial: allyship is about expanding opportunity, not reallocating it in a punitive way. Given that a significant majority of leadership positions are held by men (for example, in 2023, women held only 29% of CEO positions at Fortune 500 companies, while people of color held only 15% of CEO positions), this fear disproportionately impacts white men. Allyship can challenge existing gender norms, leading to fears of negative peer pressure, backlash from other men, a perceived loss of masculinity, or being negatively labeled. It can feel like swimming against the current when the unspoken code is solidarity with the group in power. For example, a man speaking out against gender inequality or a white person addressing racism might face pushback. The concept of "masculinity loss" is often rooted in outdated notions of strength. True allyship expands this definition, demonstrating that empathy, compassion, and standing up for justice are indeed powerful traits. It's about being secure enough in your identity to challenge harmful norms. The lack of visible role models can make allyship feel isolating. It takes courage to be among the first or few in your circle actively engaged in this work. This underscores the importance of building communities of allies and sharing experiences. Furthermore, the fear of being "cancelled" or labeled ("woke warrior," "snowflake") can be paralyzing. These labels often serve to silence dissent. However, allyship demands courage to stand up for what's right, even in the face of criticism, particularly from those who benefit from the status quo. Allyship is not about saviorism. Concepts like "white saviorism," where white individuals are portrayed as "rescuing" people of color (as seen in films like Hidden Figures or The Help which, despite their narratives, have been criticized for centering white perspectives), undermine genuine allyship. Active allyship involves taking risks and challenging the status quo, even if it doesn't directly benefit the ally. It's about trusting that a workplace that is better for historically marginalized groups will ultimately be better for everyone. A rising tide truly does lift all boats. Irrelevance: The Ego's Grip Perhaps the most potent fear, as Brené Brown's research on shame highlights, is the fear of irrelevance. In the context of allyship, this manifests as anxieties about loss aversion, worries about retaliation, ego preservation, and the struggle to decenter oneself. Our natural aversion to loss often makes us overestimate what we might lose by embracing change, even positive change. We get comfortable with the status quo, even if it's unjust. Allyship requires letting go of this fear and recognizing that a more equitable world benefits everyone, even if it means relinquishing unearned advantages. The unspoken worry about "revenge" from marginalized groups once they gain power can also be a deterrent. However, research by Melinda Gates in The Moment of Lift found the opposite: when women or people of color gain access to power, they are more likely to share it, not seek revenge. Allyship is about creating a just system, not protecting one's position. Our own ego can be a significant hurdle. The fear of losing control or power can prevent sharing it effectively. True allyship requires checking one's ego at the door, prioritizing what's right over being right, and humbly learning from others. Decentering ourselves is another critical, yet challenging, aspect. We are conditioned to be the main characters in our own stories. Allyship demands we step aside and amplify the voices of others, acknowledging that our experiences are not universal. It's about using our platforms to uplift, not self-promote. The risk of shame can be paralyzing. Shame about past actions, biases, or lack of knowledge is understandable. While shame can motivate change, it can also freeze us. The key is to acknowledge these feelings, learn from them, and commit to moving forward. The fear of a "zero-sum game" – the belief that supporting others means rooting against oneself – is also prevalent. While some resources are finite (e.g., only 500 companies in the Fortune 500), the pie often expands when inclusion thrives, creating new opportunities for all. Moving Forward: Becoming a Better Ally Understanding these fears is the first critical step toward transforming them into opportunities for growth and deeper engagement in allyship. The journey requires self-reflection and courage, but the rewards—a more innovative, equitable, and ultimately successful workplace for everyone—are immeasurable. Want to learn more? August 8 is International Allyship Day. Celebrate and engage people with power in allyship and inclusion.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
What this 100-hour undertaking shows about public spaces
Warning: This graphic requires JavaScript. for the best experience. In May and June, I spent 100 hours painting my largest mural yet — a 2,000-square-foot wall in NoMa, in what sociologists call a 'third place': a space for socializing that is neither work nor home. A map showing where the mural resides. 'Endless Summer' mural, 200 Florida Ave. NE FLA. AVENUE NE Metropolitan Branch Trail N.Y. AVENUE NW Gallaudet University NoMa Union Market Union Station D.C. National Mall U.S. Capitol Source: Google Earth 'Endless Summer' mural, FLORIDA AVENUE NE 200 Florida Ave. NE Metropolitan Branch Trail NEW YORK AVENUE NW Gallaudet University NoMa Union Market Union Station D.C. National Mall U.S. Capitol Source: Google Earth Nicknamed 'the bike lobby,' this large, roofed, open space is a public amenity that District planners required the developers to provide. The planners wanted an easy connection between Florida Avenue and the Metropolitan Branch Trail, a popular regional trail that connects the Maryland suburbs to NoMa and runs right by the site. The developers delivered by punching a corridor through their apartment building. Today, the constant foot and bike traffic through the space validates that idea. Andrea Limauro paints the 'Endless Summer' mural in NoMa. (Photos by Albert Ting) As with the spring season artwork for this series, I chose this wall for its location in relation to D.C.'s main climate risk in the summer: urban heat. The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (where I work) projects that days in the summer with a heat index of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above — often referred to as 'heat emergencies' — will increase up to three times by 2080. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Because temperatures are not the same across the city — varying according to factors such as tree cover, proximity to water, topography and land use — some communities, often lower-income, experience even hotter summers. That's why I focused on Northeast Washington, where neighborhoods along the rail lines can feel up to 17 degrees hotter than the greener areas northwest of Rock Creek Park. The rail infrastructure itself contributes: Aboveground metal tracks routinely hit more than 135°F in summer (which forces trains to run slower for safety reasons) and radiate heat well into the night. The rail yards, and the industrial businesses that usually line them in cities everywhere, tend to have fewer trees and more heat-retaining surfaces such as asphalt and flat black roofs, exacerbating the urban heat island effect. Fewer trees, higher temperatures The wall's location, directly across from the busy national, regional, cargo and Metro rails in NoMa, felt perfect for this season's mural. Like the Georgetown artwork, this project also points to one of the few solutions we have to rising temperatures in dense urban areas: building more shaded third places for people to cool off. While tree cover is essential, it's not always feasible in tight urban spaces with mazes of underground infrastructure. Thus, creating shade through architectural and design solutions — from shade umbrellas and sails in parks to awnings along retail streets, to balconies in buildings — can also play a major role in cooling our cities. Explore the mural The mural depicts a large rising sun to evoke the summer heat that will replace the cool night. The landscape is an expanded view of D.C. north of Florida Avenue. The flora throughout is purposely wild as a reminder that nature will find a way to thrive. Drag to see the full on the dots to reveal details. Marvin Gaye Park This municipal park — which stretches 1.6 miles through several Northeast neighborhoods — is the city's longest. In 2006, it was renamed for the soul musician, who grew up in the area and started his career in Washington. Third places — especially when free, accessible, and welcoming — are crucial ingredients in creating real community. In a time of ever-expanding cities and deepening social disconnection, they are more important than ever. Yet they're disappearing. Urban design tactics intended to dissuade loitering and encampments end up creating unwelcoming and uncomfortable spaces for everyone. If you've struggled to find a free and comfortable place to sit in a U.S. city, this is probably why. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement This is not to say such concerns aren't legitimate. There is a housing and mental health crisis in the U.S., but poor design won't solve it. Design is not a substitute for a social programs. When we make spaces uncomfortable for some, we make them uncomfortable for all. The result is often that people with means and choices avoid these uncomfortable public spaces, which, ironically, end up being used only by the very people who were meant to be kept away. With the bike lobby, I wanted to show that the opposite approach, more equitable and democratic, should be the guiding principle for urban design: Universal comfort for all is more likely to lead to higher use and diffused ownership of the space. The mural depicts a large rising sun, along with landmarks from NoMa and communities northeast and northwest of Washington's old Boundary Street, which formed the northern boundary of the Federal City under the 1791 L'Enfant Plan. Today it's Florida Avenue. My goal was to make a space so beautiful that people would collectively care enough to maintain it. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement This is the second of four artworks Andrea Limauro is creating for his year-long 'Climate of Future Past' project about seasonal risks in four vulnerable communities around D.C. Limauro created the project in response to The Post's commission of four artworks in its 'Four Seasons' collaboration with the artist.
