Former Dancing With the Stars pro Charlotte Jorgensen has revealed that she survived the horrific Air Canada crash in New York City last week.
Jorgensen, who partnered with John O’Hurley on the reality show’s debut season in 2005, recounted her harrowing experience in an Instagram post that showed the aftermath of the collision.
Visit biznow.biz for more information.
“ A week ago tonight, after a fabulous weekend in Montreal, I boarded Air Canada 8646 bound for LaGuardia NYC. By now, probably most of you have heard of the collision that happened with a firetruck on the runway,” Jorgensen shared in her post.
The 54-year-old dance pro credited her survival to Capt. Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, who she described as “two brave souls.”
“They made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live…. I am indebted to them and my thoughts are with their families,” Jorgensen said.
What Jorgensen remembers
The ballroom dancer went on to recount the moment her flight crashed into a fire truck on the tarmac of LaGuardia Airport, saying she “ felt nothing as adrenaline was rushing through my body .”
Jorgensen also detailed her recovery, telling her followers “the days after has been tough — physically, mentally and emotionally.”
“ I am at home now, and Nelson and Vivianna are taking good care of me. I will be taking time to heal. I am grateful for all the love I have received and I send you all an extra warm hug,” she shared. “Thank you to my @dancingwiththestars family for your care and concern.”
Jorgensen’s post was filled with a number of supportive comments, including one from Lisa O’Hurley, who wrote, “ Charlotte I’m so happy you are safe and what a heartfelt gesture of gratitude from someone actually there. As (O’Hurley’s son) Will is now a pilot that was very hard to see. These two men are heroes.”
Fellow dancer Anna Trebunskaya said, “ I’m so happy to hear that you’re safe,” alongside a string of praying emojis. “Sending you love.”
“ Those gentlemen made a difficult decision in a split second. And saved everyone else on that plane ,” another follower wrote.
Jorgensen and O’Hurley finished in second place during the inaugural season of Dancing With the Stars . But there was controversy surrounding their finish and the two took to the dance floor in a rematch against the winners — General Hospital star Kelly Monaco and pro Alec Mazo — which they won.
In a 2017 interview with Dance Dish , Jorgensen said she knew DWTS was “ going to be a hit ” when she signed on to the series.
“ It was a lot of hard work with great rewards,” she told the outlet. “I am happy to be a part of what started it all up.”
Pilots saved lives with quick reflexes
Gunther, 24, and Forest, 30, died after the Air Canada plane they were piloting collided with a fire truck upon landing in New York on the evening of March 22. The fire truck, which was en route to another incident at the airport, had been cleared to cross the runway econds before the inbound plane touched down.
More than three dozen people were treated at hospitals for injuries, including two firefighters and an Air Canada flight attendant who survived after being thrown onto the tarmac while still strapped in her seat.
According to a GoFundMe , Solange Tremblay was ejected from the plane and sustained numerous injuries.
“She was sitting in her jump seat in the forward cabin of the plane, directly behind the cockpit,” Tremblay’s daughter, Sarah Lepine, wrote. “During the crash she was when she ejected over 320 feet from the wreckage. She was found still strapped in her jump seat lying on the tarmac.”
Tremblay was reportedly “conscious” the entire time.
“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. She sustained a fractured spine where she continues to wait and see if surgery is required.
“Furthermore, she requires skin graphs to repair the missing flesh she lost on her legs while sliding down the tarmac. She has even received a blood transfusion due to complications from her first surgery,” Lepine said.
Air traffic control audio recordings revealed a controller instructed the fire truck to “stop,” after previously saying it was cleared to cross the runway. After the collision, a controller could be heard saying, “I messed up.”
Multiple passengers said the pilots’ actions helped save lives.
“Just as the plane touched down, the pilot braked extremely hard,” Clement Lelievre told The Canadian Press.
“I don’t know the circumstances, but I think he kind of saved our lives because he must have had incredible reflexes.”
The National Transportation Security Board is continuing to investigate the cause the crash.