More than a dozen children were injured after an airplane dumped fuel while flying above a playground at Park Avenue Elementary near Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday.
Just before noon, nine teachers and 17 children were injured after a flight leaving Los Angeles International Airport airport ejected fuel, which splattered the children during their afternoon recess. The airplane, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 777, was headed toward Shanghai when it started experiencing mechanical problems. The flight returned to LAX and landed safely.
Delta released a statement about the emergency landing, writing, “The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight.”
More than 70 firefighters and paramedics were summoned to the area after the fuel dump to help treat the children and clean the area. The Los Angeles Unified School District’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety was also dispatched to the school to ensure that the mess is properly dealt with.
None of the children injured in the mess were hospitalized, and emergency medical staff was able to treat all skin irritation injuries at the school. Authorities did not mandate an evacuation, despite the spillage.
UPDATE*** 70 firefighters and paramedics on-scene and committed to providing care for those injured. FFs working to confirm substance dropped by aircraft, although initial reports stated smell of jet fuel in area.
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) January 14, 2020
UPDATE*** Patient count updated to 17 children, 9 adults. All minor injuries w/ no transports to local hospital from school. There are no evacuation orders for the immediate area. Substance was confirmed JET FUEL.
Refer to school regarding plans for child pick-up. #LACoFD
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) January 14, 2020
The district released a statement about the incident, writing: “Students and staff were on the playground at the time and may have been sprayed by fuel or inhaled fumes. Schools immediately called paramedics, who are on the scene and are treating anyone who is complaining of skin irritation or breathing problems.”
The Federal Aviation Administration said it was aware of the situation but did not release any further information about the situation.
