A 10-year-old boy who shielded his younger sister from debris during a catastrophic plane crash in Philadelphia is recovering after undergoing life-saving surgery. Trey Howard suffered a severe head injury when a Learjet 55 crashed near Roosevelt Mall, but his heroic actions may have saved his sister’s life.
Trey was in the car with his father and two siblings when the jet came down, sending metal and flames through the air. His father, Andre Howard Jr., recalled the terrifying moment, saying it felt like a missile had exploded just feet away.
Despite the chaos, Trey’s first instinct was to protect his sister. He grabbed her and told her to get down, moments before a piece of debris struck him in the head. His father turned to see metal sticking out of the boy’s skull.
With the help of a bystander, Andre worked to stop the bleeding before a police officer transported Trey to the hospital. Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia rushed him into surgery, warning the family that he might not survive.
After waking up, Trey’s first words were, “Daddy, did I save my sister?” His father, moved to tears, reassured him that he had. The boy, a passionate Eagles fan, was also relieved to hear that he hadn’t missed the Super Bowl.
The crash claimed the lives of seven people, including all four crew members and two passengers on the medical flight. A man in a nearby vehicle was also killed, and at least 24 people on the ground sustained injuries. Trey continues his recovery, supported by family, friends, and well-wishers.
