Pilots and Doctor, Among 6 Others on Board Air Ambulance that Crashed in Philadelphia, Have Been Identified

Mar. 15, 2025

A view of the wreckage from a small plane after it crashed in a residential area of Philadelphia on Jan. 31.Photo:Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty

Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty

Mexican emergency service XE Médica Ambulancia also announced in a translated post onXthat one of its medical professionals, Dr. Raúl Meza, had been on board the “air ambulance,” which belonged to “another company” where Meza provided his “professional services."

“Dr. Meza studied medicine at UNAM, graduated as a pediatrician and neonatologist from the National Institute of Pediatrics and is a physician assigned to the NICU at ISEM Atizapán,” XE Médica Ambulancia said in a translated post on X. “We are still waiting for more information from the authorities.”

Area where small plane crashed in Philadelphia on Jan. 31.Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty

Amother and a childfrom Mexico were also confirmed to have been on the plane that crashed, according to areleasefrom the office of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. She noted that the child was being “treated for illness” at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia prior to boarding the plane, which had been en-route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, with a final destination of Mexico.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo wrote in a translatedpost on Xthat “six Mexicans” died in the plane crash in Philadelphia. She added, “the consular authorities are in permanent contact with the families; I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support them in whatever way is required. My solidarity with their loved ones and friends.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a translatedpost on Xthat the Mexican consulate has been “in contact” with the “families of the people” who were involved in the crash and it has been coordinating and collaborating with ground teams in Pennsylvania officials and “other institutions involved in the research efforts.”

Seven people, including the six onboard the plane, died in the crash, Parker confirmed in asocial mediaupdate. She wrote, “We can officially disclose 6 perished in the plane,” she wrote in a statement. “At least one more person perished in the incident.”

“At least 19 treated at multiple area hospitals, Investigation active and ongoing,” she continued. “We are working closely with NTSB, all our local, state and federal partners. We’re grateful for everyone’s assistance.”

source: people.com