A 10-year-old boy from Philadelphia, Andre III “Trey” Howard, has been hailed as a hero after shielding his younger sister during a tragic plane crash on January 31, 2025. The incident occurred when a medical transport jet crashed near Roosevelt Mall, resulting in seven fatalities, including all six individuals aboard the Learjet 55 and one person on the ground.
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At the time of the crash, Trey was in the car with his father, Andre Howard Jr., and his younger siblings, ages 4 and 7. As the plane descended, Trey instinctively shielded his sister, instructing her to “get down” as debris struck their vehicle. A piece of metal impaled Trey’s head, causing severe injuries.
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Despite the critical nature of his injuries, Trey underwent emergency brain surgery at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital. Doctors initially expressed concerns about his survival. However, Trey defied expectations by waking up and immediately inquiring about his sister’s well-being and the upcoming Super Bowl game.
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Trey’s recovery has been described as miraculous. His father expressed profound gratitude, stating, “They did an A+ job on my son. Praise God, they did a great job.”
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The community has rallied around Trey and his family. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. Additionally, Trey received a visit from his favorite NBA player, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, who offered encouragement during his recovery.
