Two Simsbury firefighters were among those taken to the hospital after a deadly plane crash Wednesday morning at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.
Seven people were killed in the crash and eight others injured.
One of the firefighters has been working with the department for more than 15 years while the other has been with the fire department for a little over five years.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane, a vintage B-17 aircraft, crashed at the end of Runway 6 around 10 a.m. while attempting to land around five minutes after take-off.
Windsor Locks First Selectman Chris Kervick said 13 people were on the plane, including 10 passengers and three crew members, according to.
One of the injured people was at the de-icing facility.
Multiple fatalities occurred but the number of deaths has not been confirmed, according to Commissioner James Rovella of the Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection.
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The identities of the deceased are not yet known.
"Victims are very difficult to identify, we don't want to make a mistake," Rovella said.
Patients went to three different hospitals and at least six patients taken to Hartford Hospital, including one via Lifestar and five by ambulance, the hospital said.
Three of those patients were critical at the hospital, which is a Level 1 trauma center. Two patients at Hartford Hospital are being taken to a burn unit at Bridgeport Hospital.
Hartford Hospital says family members can call (860) 972-9166 for information on patients injured in the plane crash at Bradley Airport. They can also report to Taylor Conference Room at Hartford Hospital’s cancer center.
Patients from the plane crash were also taken to Saint Francis Hospital.
"We received a mass casualty alert following the plane crash that took place near Bradley International Airport this morning. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Saint Francis Hospital department has deployed all the necessary preparations in order to be ready to receive any number of patients" said Dr. Steven Wolf, Emergency Department Chair at Saint Francis Hospital.
"Right now, my heart goes out to the families that are waiting," Gov. Ned Lamont said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "Remember these are husbands and wives and sisters and brothers, all part of our Connecticut family."
Sen. Richard Blumenthal released a statement: "Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victims. They and the public deserve to know the facts and causes of this tragic crash. I am calling for an immediate National Transportation Safety Board investigation so we can get to the bottom of what happened and prevent future tragedies. The NTSB should be on the scene as soon as possible, with assistance from other agencies like the FAA."
According to NTSB Aviation Accident Data, the same plane was involved in a crash on Aug. 23, 1987 in Beaver Falls, Penn. In that incident, one serious injury was reported and two minor injuries occurred. The damage to the aircraft at the time was determined to be "substantial."
This plane is one of 18 actively flying in the United States, Blumenthal said.
Connecticut State Police said any immediate family members looking for information on the plane crash can call the CSP Message Center at 860-685-8190.
This plane is one of 18 actively flying in the United States, Blumenthal said.
