A 10-year-old boy’s heroic actions saved his sister’s life during a tragic plane crash in Philadelphia.
At a Glance
- Andre Howard III, known as “Trey,” shielded his sister from debris during a plane crash
- Trey was struck in the head by flying metal and underwent emergency brain surgery
- The crash involved a medical transport plane, resulting in seven fatalities and multiple injuries
- Trey is now in stable condition and recovering at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- An investigation into the crash is ongoing
Young Hero’s Quick Thinking Saves Sister
In a moment of extraordinary bravery, 10-year-old Andre Howard III, known as “Trey,” became a hero during a tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. Trey was with his father and sister, getting doughnuts, when debris from a crashing plane began to rain down. Without hesitation, Trey shielded his sister from the falling wreckage, potentially saving her life.
The young boy’s quick thinking came at a cost. He was struck in the head by flying metal, necessitating emergency brain surgery. Despite the severity of his injuries, Trey’s first concern upon waking was for his sister’s safety. His father, Andre Howard Jr., recounted the touching moment when Trey asked, “Daddy, did I save my sister?”
A true hero.
10-year-old Trey Howard shielded his sister from falling debris in the Northeast Philly plane crash. After surgery, his first words were: “Daddy, did I save my sister?”
Wishing Trey a full and speedy recovery. All of Pennsylvania is behind you! https://t.co/dYFha5xiNy
— Stacy Garrity (@GarrityForPA) February 6, 2025
Following the incident, Trey’s father and another man attempted to stop the bleeding before a police officer rushed them to the hospital. Doctors initially warned that Trey might not survive, but the young hero has been defying expectations and improving daily. He is now in stable condition at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he continues to recover from his injuries.
“It sounded like a missile was firing bullets, metal at my car, everyone else’s car,” Andre Howard said.
The community has rallied around Trey and his family, celebrating his selflessness and composure under pressure. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the instinctive drive to protect loved ones in times of crisis.
The crash that led to Trey’s heroic act involved a medical transport plane, resulting in at least 22 injuries and seven fatalities. All six people aboard the Learjet 55 air ambulance, including Mexican citizens, perished in the crash. The victims included the pilot, co-pilot, a doctor, a paramedic, a patient, and her mother. A seventh victim, identified as Steven Dreuitt, was killed on the ground inside a vehicle.
In addition to the fatalities, 24 other people on the ground were injured in the crash. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, with the plane’s “black box” being analyzed for crucial data. As the investigation continues, the number of casualties may change, highlighting the ongoing nature of this tragic event.
Trey’s story of bravery amidst this devastating incident serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of quick thinking and selflessness in the face of danger.
These crashes shouldn’t be happening to begin with…and hopefully Trump’s latest orders improves air traffic safety moving forward.
