An Air Canada Express regional jet collided with an airport rescue vehicle on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday, critically injuring four emergency responders and forcing a shutdown of the busy travel hub.

Flight AC8646, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, was arriving from Montreal when it struck an Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting truck on Runway 4 shortly before 11:40 p.m., according to FlightRadar24. The aircraft was carrying approximately 100 passengers; their conditions are being evaluated.

Air traffic control audio captured by LiveATC.net indicates the fire truck — designated “Truck 1” — was cleared to cross the runway at taxiway D before the tower controller issued multiple urgent commands for it to stop. The aircraft struck the truck as it crossed, then continued to Taxiway E, where flight data shows it decelerated rapidly.

The four injured responders are Port Authority police officers assigned to the department’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter Unit, according to the New York Post. All are in critical condition.

Heavy rain was affecting the airport at the time of the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a ground stop, and the airport remains closed with no indication of when operations will resume.

Sources

• Air Canada Express plane hits ground vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia airport — Reuters
• Air Canada CRJ collides with fire fighting truck on landing in New York — FlightRadar24
• 4 firefighters critically injured as Air Canada flight, firetruck collide at LaGuardia — New York Post