SI

Giants TE Larry Donnell on plane that skidded off runway

New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell was on a plane that skidded off the runway at New York's La Guardia Airport in snowy conditions Thursday.

SI Wire

Giants TE Larry Donnell on plane that skidded off runway
Giants TE Larry Donnell on plane that skidded off runway /

New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell was on a plane that skidded off the runway at New York's La Guardia Airport in snowy conditions Thursday.

The crash occurred shortly after 11 a.m. ET and the Federal Aviation Administration announced that the airport's runways would be closed until 7 p.m. ET.

• TIME: Plane Slides Off the Runway at LaGuardia Airport

The plane was an MD-88 that took off from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. It slipped across a snow-covered runway and eventually came to rest on an embankment that separates the airport from Flushing Bay. According to airport officials, there were 131 passengers and crew on the plane, and 24 of them suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Donnell's agent confirmed to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News that Donnell is "fine." Donnell was tendered a contract on Wednesday and "will gladly sign the tender," Vacchiano reported.

Donnell later released a statement about the crash.

"I’m blessed to be safe and sound after our plane skidded off the runway at LaGuardia airport today. I feel fine physically and hopefully all the other passengers did not have any significant injuries. We were all shocked and alarmed when the plane started to skid, but most importantly, as far as I know, all of the passengers and flight crew were able to exit the plane safely."

Fewer than three inches of snow had been reported by the time of the crash, according to NBC New York.

- Dan Gartland

Published
SI Wire
SI WIRE

Delivering breaking sports news in real time. 

Home/NFL