Pilot Tragedy at LaGuardia: Bodies Return, Runway Reopens

0:00It's March 26. From your city to your ears, this is Vancouver News today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. The bodies of two young air-Canada pilots killed in a runway collision at La Guardia Airport have made it back to Canada. First officer Mackenzie Gunther, who was 24 and Captain Antoine Forrest, who was 30, died when their planes struck a fire truck right, after landing on Sunday 9. The fire truck had been cleared to cross the runway while responding to an issue on another aircraft. Gunther's casket arrived in Ottawa on Thursday afternoon, carried by fellow pilots, while Forrest's body was flown from there to Montreal. About 40 people were hurt in the crash, including two firefighters and a flight attendant who got thrown onto the tarmac, but survived. Most have been released from hospitals. In Forrest's hometown of Cotto du Lac, southwest of Montreal, residents have shared a wave of sympathy. The aviation community is reeling, too, with pilots urging each other to lean on one

1:02another during this tough time. Officials reopen the runway Thursday morning around 10 a.m. after repairs and inspections met federal safety rules. That helps La Guardia get back to full speed as one of the country's busiest airports, though delays and cancellations continue. Air Canada plans to move the damaged plane to a hangar, soon, and reunite passengers with their backs. Travelers should still check flight updates as the airport works through the backlog.