A Philadelphia boy who saved his sister from flying debris during a plane crash is making a strong recovery after undergoing brain surgery. Trey Howard, 10, was seriously injured when a Learjet 55 crashed near Roosevelt Mall, striking him in the head with wreckage.
Trey was in the car with his father and two siblings when the plane came down. His father, Andre Howard Jr., described the moment as chaotic, with metal and flames erupting across the area. “It felt like a horror movie,” he recalled.
Despite the danger, Trey’s first instinct was to protect his little sister. He pulled her close and covered her, taking the full impact of the debris himself. His father turned around and saw metal sticking out of the boy’s head.
With quick thinking, Andre and a bystander worked to slow the bleeding before a police officer rushed Trey to the hospital. Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia performed emergency surgery, unsure if he would survive. Against the odds, Trey woke up and immediately asked, “Daddy, did I save my sister?”
Authorities confirmed that the crash killed seven people, including all four crew members and two passengers on the medical flight. A Philadelphia man in a nearby vehicle was also killed, while 24 others were injured.
Trey, known for his love of football, was relieved to find out that he hadn’t missed the Super Bowl. He later received a hospital visit from 76ers player Tyrese Maxey, who praised his bravery.
