Over two dozen, incl. children, injured after Boeing 777 dumps fuel on elementary school outside Los Angeles
Some 17 children and nine adults have been reported injured after a Boeing 777 returning to Los Angeles International Airport dropped fuel on an elementary school.
The plane performed an emergency fuel dump after experiencing mechanical problems taking off from LAX, local media have reported. About 70 firefighters and paramedics responded to Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahy after children at the school complained of skin irritation and noxious fumes, according to local media.
Children at 93rd St elementary school in South Los Angeles were also treated for minor injuries, according to KABC, though that report has not been confirmed by police.
Videos posted to social media show fuel streaming from both of the plane’s wings as it passes by overhead.
DELTA flight 89 to Shanghai dumping fuel, returning to LAX W/ unknown emergency pic.twitter.com/UQVnRuc0IA
— Matt Hartman (@ShorealoneFilms) January 14, 2020
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The Los Angeles County Fire Department has confirmed the dropped substance is jet fuel. The plane, a Delta Airlines flight bound for Shanghai, landed safely just before noon local time, an airport spokesperson told local media.
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
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UPDATE*** 17 children and 6 adults (23 patients total) all complaining of minor injuries being triaged by LACoFD Paramedics and Firefighters.
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) January 14, 2020
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The plane reportedly suffered a compressor stall on taking off, necessitating its return to LAX, but was too low to safely dump fuel, which typically evaporates before hitting the ground, according to local media.
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