The aftermath of a small plane crashing into a tree on July 12 in a Pembroke Pines, FL residential neighborhood. The crash happened only one mile from the approach path into North Perry airport’s runway. Unbelievably, neighbors jumped into action, running to the help of the passengers trapped inside with strength and bravery that can only be described as superhuman.
The crash happened in close proximity to homes, with the plane’s engine igniting a fire approximately 25 yards from resident TJ Jordan’s house and dangerously near his son’s room. Intervention came at once from the horrified community.
Once on their way to the hospital, wife and husband Giovanna Hanley and her father-in-law were among the first to call 911. Without thinking twice, they all joined forces and began cutting a path through the wreckage for the passengers ensnared within. Hanley recalled in gripping detail her frantic, confused moments following the wreck. In those harried seconds, her father-in-law rushed into action without any desire for credit or commendation.
While the fire was burning, other neighbors were pulled into the efforts to save the four passengers. Hanley remembered, “One [neighbor] brought an ax over. We had two other neighbors with a hose coming and jumping in.” It was this collective bravery that ensured these passengers received blistering help and were later taken to hospitals to treat their own blunt force injuries.
This immediate response from the community showcases a great example of collaboration and willingness to help others in times of crisis. Witnesses such as TJ Jordan described their horror at the dumping of the waste and the risk it created to their residences. Jordan noted, “It was burning only 25 yards from my home, right next to my son’s bedroom.” He focused instead on praising the narrow tragedy they avoided.
By her, her father-in-law, and her neighbors’ actions to rescue their neighbors has been characterized as heroic action. Their readiness to face the peril shows just how far communities will go to protect each other when disaster strikes.
