A routine after-school trip to get doughnuts turned into a life-changing moment for a young Philadelphia boy and his family.
According to Daily Mail, Andre 'Trey' Howard III, 10, suffered severe head injuries while protecting his younger sister from flying debris when a medical transport jet crashed near Roosevelt Mall on Friday.
The incident occurred as Trey was leaving Dunkin' Donuts with his father, Andre Howard Jr., and two younger siblings, ages four and seven. The crash claimed seven lives, including six people aboard the aircraft and one person in a vehicle on the ground, while leaving 24 others injured.
Trey's father described the terrifying moment when the plane crashed on Cottman Avenue as they were leaving the parking lot. Without hesitation, the young boy threw himself over his sister to shield her from the explosion's aftermath. His father, Andre Howard Jr., shared on social media:
In the process of the explosion, Trey jumps on his sister to cover her from the metal flying everywhere, in which he was struck in his head by a large piece of metal, causing him to pass out and begin bleeding out.
The impact left Trey with metal and glass fragments in his skull, requiring emergency brain surgery at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital. He was later transferred to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for additional treatment.
Despite initial concerns about his survival, Trey emerged from surgery alert and talking. His first thoughts were about his sister's well-being, showing remarkable courage even in his injured state. His mother, Lashawn Hamiel, maintains optimism about his recovery while acknowledging the challenging path ahead.
The medical team continues to monitor Trey's condition as they develop his treatment plan. His mother described him as strong and resilient, praising his superhero-like qualities during this ordeal.
The family has established a GoFundMe page to help cover mounting medical expenses and support his recovery journey. The campaign highlights the extensive care needed, including multiple surgeries and ongoing therapy.
The incident has deeply affected the Howard family, who are processing both the trauma of the crash and pride in their son's selfless actions. His father emphasized how Trey's protective instincts aligned with the values they had instilled in their children.
When Trey regained consciousness, his immediate concern was for his sister's safety. His father recalled the emotional moment: "Daddy, did I save my sister? It had me crying."
Beyond his heroic actions, Trey also showed his playful spirit by asking if he had missed the Super Bowl, revealing himself as an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan even in his injured state.
Andre 'Trey' Howard III demonstrated extraordinary bravery when he protected his seven-year-old sister from debris during a medical transport jet crash near Philadelphia's Roosevelt Mall.
The ten-year-old suffered severe head injuries requiring emergency surgery after metal and glass fragments became embedded in his skull during the incident. While doctors work to determine his next treatment steps, Trey's family has launched a fundraising campaign to support his extensive medical needs and recovery process.
