Solange Tremblay, a senior flight attendant on an Air Canada Jazz flight, remained conscious after being ejected more than 320 feet from the aircraft during a fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport last Sunday. She slid across the tarmac and was found strapped into her jump seat with multiple severe injuries.
Crash Overview
Flight 8646 from Montreal collided with a Port Authority fire truck cleared to cross the runway just as the CRJ900 jet received landing clearance. The plane’s nose struck the emergency vehicle at high speed, crumpling the front section into twisted metal and wires while sending the fire truck skidding onto its side.
Tremblay sat directly behind the cockpit in the forward cabin. The pilots, Captain Antoine Forest, 30, and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, 24, perished in the incident. More than half of the 72 passengers sustained injuries, along with two firefighters. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Survivor’s Injuries and Recovery
Lépine, Tremblay’s daughter, described her mother’s condition. “My mother’s injuries include two shattered legs (open fractures) requiring multiple surgeries where metal plates are needed to repair the damage done to her legs,” Lépine stated. She added that Tremblay suffered a fractured spine, pending further evaluation for surgery, and requires skin grafts for flesh lost during the slide across the tarmac.
Tremblay received a blood transfusion following complications from her initial surgery. She faces additional operations, rehabilitation to regain walking ability, and risks of infection during her extended recovery at a New York hospital.
Fundraiser Support
As of early Sunday afternoon, less than 48 hours after the crash, a fundraiser for Tremblay stood about $26,000 short of its $160,000 goal. The funds will allow Lépine and Tremblay’s husband, Denis Nicol Jr., to take leave from work and provide care during her prolonged hospital stay.
Tremblay dedicated her career to serving passengers as a flight attendant, a role she took great pride in. “Right now, my mom needs your help,” Lépine urged. “If you can donate it would mean more than I could put into words.”
