Yahoo Lifestyle 10-Year-Old Boy Hurt by Falling Debris from Philadelphia Plane Crash While Protecting Sister
"He's pushing through,” Lashawn Hamiel said of her son Andre Howard
Andre Howard, 10, was hit by flying debris caused by a deadly crash involving a medical jet carrying six people in Philadelphia on Jan. 31
Despite doctors initially telling the family that Andre may not walk, the child has made significant progress during his hospitalization
"To face death yesterday and speaking today, stepping up for his little sister, like I train him and his other little brothers to do off of instinct. He's my hero," Andre's father told WPVI
The family of a 10-year-old boy who was injured by flying debris following the deadly plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia called him a “hero” for protecting his younger sister.
"He's strong, he's a jokester, but he's strong. He's a superhero," Lashawn Hamiel, the mother of Andre Howard, told ABC affiliate WPVI.
On the evening of Friday, Jan. 31, according to a news release from the City of Philadelphia, the crash happened near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman and Bustleton Avenues. A medical transportation jet left Northeast Philadelphia Airport with two passengers — a mother and her daughter — and four crew members and was heading for Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
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According to flight logs, the plane was only in the air for about a minute when it crashed, killing all six onboard the plane, which was scheduled to make its final destination in Mexico. A person who drove their car very close to where the plane crashed was also killed, said the city.
WPVI reported that Andre was in the car with his siblings and his father, also named Andre Howard, when the crash occurred near the mall. The elder Howard said that debris was flying everywhere.
"My son…tells his little sister, 'Get down,' “ Howard recalled. “And he grabs her, I hear the glass shatter. I turn around, there's a piece of metal sticking out of my son's head from the plane.”
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A Good Samaritan took off his shirt to apply pressure on Andre’s head, WPVI reported, adding that police took the family to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where Andre underwent surgery.
"They told us my son wasn't supposed to make it,” Howard told WPVI. “They also told us, 'They don't do children trauma.' But they did for us, which was nothing but God.”
Andre was later brought to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where he has made progress — after doctors initially told the family the child may never walk.
"To face death yesterday and speaking today, stepping up for his little sister,” said Howard, "like I train him and his other little brothers to do off of instinct. He's my hero.”
The family created a GoFundMe to pay for Andre’s medical expenses not covered by insurance, as well as for his rehabilitation and physical therapy.
“Andre’s family is overwhelmed with the emotional and financial burden of this unexpected tragedy,” read the GoFundMe description. “His medical care, which includes surgeries, therapy and ongoing treatment, will be extensive. While Andre’s strength and resilience shine through, his recovery will require time, care and resources.”
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In an interview with WPVI, Hamiel was emotional in describing her son’s condition at the time he was hospitalized.
"My baby in there, it's hard seeing him like that,” she said. "As a mother, what am I supposed to do? But he's good. He's pushing through.”
At a press conference held on Monday, Feb. 3, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said there were 24 people injured from the crash. Four people remained hospitalized with two of them in critical condition.
PEOPLE reached out to Hamiel for comment on Feb. 3.
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