A truck driver has expressed his disbelief after a United Airlines plane collided with his vehicle as it was travelling along the New Jersey Turnpike. The incident, which took place on Sunday, May 3, around 2 p.m., involved a Boeing 767 aircraft that was making its final descent to Newark Liberty International Airport when it struck the truck driven by Warren Boardley Jr., aged 39.
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The New Jersey State Police reported that the plane not only hit Boardley’s vehicle but also struck a pole, which subsequently impacted another car on the busy turnpike. Despite the alarming circumstances, the aircraft managed to land safely at the airport, carrying 221 passengers along with 10 crew members.
In a statement, United Airlines confirmed their commitment to conducting a thorough flight safety investigation into the occurrence, and indicated that the crew involved has been removed from service during the inquiry. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also initiated an investigation, classifying the event as an accident because of the significant damage sustained by the aircraft.
Warren Boardley Sr. has shared his astonishment at his son’s extraordinary experience, admitting that both father and son were left in disbelief at the surreal nature of the incident. “Out of all the things in the world, a plane?” he remarked, struggling to comprehend how such an unusual event could occur on the road. He added that one could prepare for a regular collision with another vehicle, but a plane striking a truck is entirely unprecedented.
Despite sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, Boardley Jr. has been left shaken by the event. His father disclosed that his son is currently recuperating at home, although he is suffering from internal injuries and feels pain throughout his body. Although the physical injuries are expected to improve, Boardley Sr. expressed concern that the psychological impact of the crash may linger for quite some time.
According to Chuck Paterakis, the senior vice president of transportation and logistics at H&S Bakery, the company where Boardley works, the driver had just completed a delivery when the accident occurred. Paterakis described how this could have been a far more tragic situation, citing the close calls that occurred during the incident. He stated, “With another inch here, another foot there, it could all have been disastrous.”
In a further show of concern, Boardley’s family and employer are hoping for his swift recovery, yet there are doubts regarding whether he will return to his job as a truck driver after this harrowing incident. Initial communications from Boardley indicated that he was in hospital on the first night post-accident, but there has been little contact since.
As the investigation by the NTSB continues, it will consider various factors that may have contributed to the accident. These include elements such as flight operations, weather conditions, human performance, crew management, aircraft performance, and air traffic control procedures.
The bizarre circumstances of this accident highlight the unpredictable nature of both air and road travel, leaving many to contemplate the safety measures in place to prevent such occurrences. As the involved parties await further updates from the ongoing investigations, the story serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of human life amid the complexities of transportation systems.