Rescuers reportedly pull survivor from deadly plane crash

6 hours ago … Raw video: Workers tend to person found in wreckage after plane crashed killing dozens in Colombia.

Colombia plane crash: 75 dead, 6th survivor found

Posted: Nov 29, 2016 5:15 AM HST
Updated: Nov 29, 2016 5:15 AM HST
By CNN

Investigators combing the wreckage of a charter plane that crashed in Colombia found a sixth survivor under the aircraft’s fuselage Tuesday morning, officials said. Video from the scene showed rescuers carrying a man on a stretcher away from the crash site.

At least 75 people were killed in the deadly crash, Medellin Mayor Federico Gutiérrez said. Passengers on the charter flight included players from the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense, who were on their way to Colombia to compete in the first leg of the South American Cup finals. More than 20 journalists were also aboard the aircraft.

Rescuers search the wreckage of the charter plane Tuesday in mountains outside Medellin, Columbia. The Avro RJ85 was en route Monday night from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to Medellin when it crashed near Rionegro, Colombia, civil aviation officials said. Nine crew members were also on board.

The plane declared an emergency between the municipalities of La Ceja and La Union, according to Colombian aviation officials. The crash occurred in an area called Cerro El Gordo near Medellin, officials said.

At least three soccer players, two crew members and one journalist survived, authorities said. Among them: defender Alan Luciano Ruschel. In an Instagram post, Ruschel’s wife said he was hospitalized in stable condition. “We are praying for everyone who has not yet been rescued, and for their families,” Amanda Ruschel wrote. “It is a complicated and difficult situation. Only God can give us strength.”

What happened?
The plane took off from Bolivia’s Viru Viru International Airport at 6:18 p.m. local time, according to air controller Manuel Palamas.

Medical staff members wait for survivors of the crashed plane Tuesday at a hospital near Medellin. Officials didn’t specify what happened to the plane but said the wounded were being transported to medical centers.

Images of the crash show what appear to be damaged parts of the plane. The aviation department’s statement said that passengers belonged to the Chapecoense team. Tattered debris emblazoned with the club’s logo was photographed at the crash site. READ MORE AT CNN

Save