A professional dancer who competed on the first season of Dancing with the Stars has revealed she survived a deadly plane crash.
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Charlotte Jørgensen said she was on board Air Canada Flight 8646 when it collided with a firetruck at New York's LaGuardia Airport on March 22.
The devastating incident claimed the lives of Captain Antoine Forest and first officer Mackenzie Gunter.
Dancing With the Stars Alum Recounts Crash Survival
Jørgensen shared her experience in a heartfelt post on Instagram, reflecting on the traumatic events.
She explained that she had boarded the flight "after a fabulous weekend in Montreal," before the situation took a tragic turn upon landing.
The dancer paid tribute to the two pilots, crediting them with saving the lives of those on board.
"I owe my life to two brave souls Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther - they made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live...," Jørgensen wrote. "I am indebted to them and my thoughts are with their families."
She added that in the immediate aftermath, adrenaline masked the severity of the situation.
Jørgensen said she initially felt "nothing". But admitted the days following the crash have "been tough - physically, mentally and emotionally."
Investigation Continues as Details Emerge
Jørgensen said she is now recovering with the support of her loved ones. She also thanked her Dancing with the Stars family for their "care and concern."
The aircraft had been traveling from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport to New York when it struck a firetruck on runway 4 during landing.
Investigators later revealed that the firetruck had been instructed to stop twice before the collision.
The first warning was delivered nine seconds before impact. The second was made about five seconds later, according to National Transportation Safety investigator Doug Brazy.
It remains unclear whether those inside the vehicle received the warnings. Authorities noted that the vehicle did not have a transponder.
There were 72 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft at the time.
The firetruck had been responding to reports of an "unknown odor in the cockpit of another plane". Shortly afterwards, the crash occurred.
Emergency responders transported 39 passengers and two officers from the firetruck to hospital. Most have since been released as the investigation into the incident continues.
