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One dead and one seriously injured when a plane crashes on a New York highway

One dead and one seriously injured when a plane crashes on a New York highway

One person was killed and another injured after a small plane crashed on a highway in Westchester County, New York, on Thursday, December 12, according to statements from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Administration. of Aviation (FAA) obtained by PEOPLE.

Flight instructor Yankele Friedman, 32, died. The second passenger, Kalmen Goldberger, 26, remains in serious condition, according to CBS News. No one on the ground was injured.

The plane departed Linden, New Jersey, and was headed to the Westchester County Airport in West Harrison, New York. Friedman reported that the plane began having engine problems while en route to the airport. The single-engine Tecnam P2008 plane crashed on I-684 around 6:35 p.m.

The NTSB, FAA and New York State Police arrived on the scene. Each agency is investigating the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation.

After the accident, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a Post X (formerly known as Twitter) that the accident had “caused an aviation gas spill.” He confirmed that the Department of Environmental Conservation was working to clean up the spill and that the road was closed in both directions.

Plane crash in Westchester County, New York, United States, on December 12, 2024.

Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty


Friedman’s brother, Joshua, said the other passenger was hospitalized. “I don’t know if it still is. I know people were talking to him and he was fine. So, it’s good news,” according to CBS News.

Friedman offered private flying lessons to Yiddish speakers, according to CBS News. “He loved taking people flying. He took everyone flying, his close friends, everyone. He was an extremely cautious pilot,” his brother said. “He always used to explain everything and go over every detail about how many extra steps he would take to be cautious.”

“It’s hard to imagine him not being here,” Joshua said. News 12.

Friedman is survived by his 12 siblings and his 13-year-old son. Hochul said in a statement: “My heart goes out to the loved ones of those who were on board during this tragic incident and I pray for a safe recovery for the injured person,” according to CBS News.

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A representative for the New York State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Friday.