World War II Bomber Crashes During Show At Connecticut Airport, At Least 2 Dead

At least two people are reported dead after a vintage World War II bomber crashed during an air show at a Connecticut airport.

The crash occurred Wednesday morning during the “Wings of Freedom” show at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. A Boeing B-17 bomber was scheduled for a flight during the show around 10 a.m. local time, with three crew and 10 passengers reportedly onboard. However, the plane experience problems during takeoff and slid off the runway. The plane then slammed into a building that houses the airport’s de-icing equipment, quickly engulfing both in fire.

“We have an active fire and rescue operation underway,” Bradley Airport wrote in a statement. “The airport is closed. We will issue further updates as information becomes available.”

Emergency responders and rescue crews rushed to the scene to combat the fires. Images also appeared online.

Officials were hesitant to confirm an exact number of fatalities until a cleanup was completed.

"Victims are very difficult to identify, we don't want to make a mistake," Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection commissioner James C. Rovella said according to NBC News.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were on that flight and we will be forever grateful to the heroic efforts of the first responders at Bradley,” the Collings Foundation said in a statement. The non-profit organization provided the B-17 bomber for the airshow.