‘DWTS’ alum Charlotte Jorgensen reveals she survived LaGuardia crash: 'Days after have been tough'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former ‘Dancing with the Stars’ pro Charlotte Jorgensen is opening up about the emotional and physical toll she’s facing after surviving a terrifying plane crash at LaGuardia Airport.
The Danish dancer shared her experience in an Instagram post on Sunday, March 29, reflecting on the incident that unfolded on March 22 and the difficult days that followed.
Charlotte Jorgensen recalls terrifying moment on Air Canada flight
Jorgensen described how what started as a normal trip quickly turned into a life-altering experience.
“A week ago tonight, after a fabulous weekend in Montreal, I boarded Air Canada 8646 bound for La Guardia NYC,” she wrote. “By now, probably most of you have heard of the collision that happened with a firetruck on the runway.”
The crash involved an Air Canada plane carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. The aircraft collided with a rescue truck that was responding to a separate emergency at the airport.
Audio from the incident later revealed the intensity of the moment, with an air traffic controller heard urgently shouting, “Stop, stop, stop, stop!” before later admitting, “I messed up.”
Charlotte Jorgensen pays tribute to pilots
In her post, Jorgensen took a moment to honor the two pilots who lost their lives in the crash - Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther.
She credited them with saving the lives of those on board.
“They made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live…. I am indebted to them and my thoughts are with their families,” she wrote, calling them “two brave souls.”
Her tribute highlighted the gravity of the situation and the loss behind the survival stories.
Charlotte Jorgensen says aftermath has been ‘tough’ emotionally and physically
While Jorgensen said she initially felt nothing due to adrenaline, the reality of the incident hit her in the days after.
“On the night I felt nothing as adrenaline was rushing through my body but the days after has been tough – physically, mentally and emotionally,” she shared.
Now back home, she said she is focusing on recovery and taking things one step at a time.
“I am grateful for all the love I have received and I send you all an extra warm hug,” she added, thanking supporters for their messages.
Jorgensen also acknowledged her ‘Dancing with the Stars’ family for their “care and concern” during this time.
Support pours in as investigation continues
Jorgensen’s post drew responses from friends and supporters, including Lisa O’Hurley, wife of her former dance partner John O’Hurley.
“Charlotte I’m so happy you are safe and what a heartfelt gesture of gratitude from someone actually there,” she wrote.
She added a personal note, saying, “As [my son] Will is now a pilot that was very hard to see. These two men are heroes.”
Jorgensen had appeared on the first season of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in 2005, where she and John O’Hurley finished in second place.
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash to determine what led to the collision.
