2 dead, LaGuardia Airport closed following collision between Air Canada plane and airport vehicle, officials say

Two individuals tragically lost their lives at LaGuardia Airport in New York following a late-night collision between a Port Authority airport vehicle and an Air Canada regional plane. This devastating crash resulted in the closure of the airport early on Monday morning, as confirmed by police and officials speaking with ABC News.

The victims, believed to be the pilot and co-pilot of the Air Canada plane, are awaiting official identification by the New York City Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. Additionally, 13 individuals, including 11 passengers and two first responders, were hospitalized with injuries as a result of the collision.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice stating that airport operations would remain suspended until 2 pm on Monday. The regional jet involved in the incident had flown from Montreal to New York, according to Flightradar24, a flight tracking service.

The exact cause of the crash remains unclear at this time. Initial reports suggest that the flight had landed on Runway 4 and was in the process of taxiing when the collision occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to investigate the crash, with Chair Jennifer Homendy serving as the on-scene spokesperson.

Numerous flights have been diverted from LaGuardia Airport due to its closure, with most rerouted to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York or Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. A union official previously mentioned that two injured individuals were Port Authority police officers on firefighter duty at the airport.

As this is an ongoing investigation, more updates are expected to follow. Please stay tuned for further information on this tragic incident.