At least 5 dead, 9 injured after WWII-era plane crash in Connecticut

“We can confirm that there was an accident involving a Collings Foundation World War II aircraft this morning at Bradley Airport. We have an active fire and rescue operation underway. The airport is closed. We will issue further updates as information becomes available,” the airport said in a Wednesday morning tweet.

The plane crashed shortly before 10 a.m., hitting a de-icing facility near the airport’s runway as it attempted to land.

The aircraft is a B-17 heavy bomber. Numerous fire departments responded to the blaze and at least two dozen emergency vehicles were seen at the airport following the crash.

The plane is one of a few WWII-era planes that are at the airport this week to give tours and flights.

Five died and multiple others were injured in the crash. It is not clear how many were on board the flight, but two firefighters were reportedly in the plane when it crashed.

Dr. Steven Wolf, emergency department chairman of Saint Francis Hospital, said that there was a mass casualty alert after the crash.

“We received a mass casualty alert following the plane crash that took place near Bradley International Airport this morning. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Saint Francis Hospital department has deployed all the necessary preparations in order to be ready to receive any number of patients,” Wolf said in a statement.