NEW YORK– A flight attendant and a charter bus driver were killed after a shuttle carrying crew members from Royal Jordanian (RJ) overturned in a multi-vehicle crash on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, shortly after the airline’s flight from Amman landed at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) late Monday night.
Authorities said the crash also left dozens of people injured, including airline crew members and motorists.
The crew had completed an approximately 11-hour journey from Amman Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) aboard Royal Jordanian flight RJ8261 before boarding a coach bus for their layover hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene after the bus collided with several vehicles, crossed the median, and overturned into oncoming traffic.
Royal Jordanian Crew Bus Crash
The collision occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m. near the Greenpoint Avenue exit on the Long Island Expressway, close to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.
According to investigators, the westbound shuttle bus first struck two vehicles before crashing into the center divider.
The impact caused the bus to overturn into the eastbound lanes, where it collided with two additional vehicles. The bus driver and one Royal Jordanian flight attendant died at the scene.
Officials said the driver of one of the passenger vehicles remained in critical condition following the crash. More than 20 other people, including airline crew members and motorists, were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while several sustained minor injuries.
The incident forced major lane closures overnight, causing significant traffic disruption as emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage and assist the injured.
RJ’s Investigation Continues
Authorities are continuing to investigate what caused the deadly chain-reaction collision. Police have not announced whether speed, mechanical failure, or another factor contributed to the crash.
Local reports indicated that the shuttle bus driver had a history of traffic violations, including speeding, disobeying traffic control devices, and dangerous driving. Reports also stated that he had previous criminal convictions, although investigators have not linked those matters to the cause of the crash.
Officials have not released the identity of the deceased flight attendant pending notification of family members. The condition of the remaining injured crew members has been described as stable.
Investigators are expected to examine the bus, roadway conditions, vehicle data, and witness statements as part of the ongoing inquiry into the fatal accident.
Airline Responded with Profound Sorrow
Royal Jordanian confirmed that one of its crew members died in the accident while the remaining injured personnel are receiving medical treatment.
In a statement, the airline expressed its profound sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the family of the deceased crew member. The carrier also said it is coordinating closely with local authorities and monitoring the condition of the injured while providing support to affected employees.
The fatal crash occurred only hours after the airline’s delayed arrival from Jordan, turning what should have been a routine transfer to the crew hotel into one of the most serious ground transportation accidents involving airline personnel in recent months.
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