Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Event/Special
Charlotte Mayor Holds Press Conference
Aired January 08, 2003 - 12:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Want to get back to our top story, that plane crash in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier today. There's a news conference going on. Let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
PAT MCCRORY, MAYOR, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: ... members are behind me at this point in time. This is the same emergency response team that we put together during Hugo, during the September 11 tragedy, and also during the recent ice storm. This emergency response team has worked with distinction today in responding and working together as a team, and I'll let them answer any specific questions.
Let me also say I had the opportunity at the site of this terrible crash to talk to the firefighters who were the first responders to this crash. And I'd like to give them a special thanks. They responded within just a few minutes to the scene. They put out the fire within, I think, less than two minutes, and they have handled this job with great distinction and courage.
I'd like to also say on behalf of the employees that were in the hanger, and I also had the opportunity to go speak to the employees in the hangar, I'd like to give them a thank you. They've gone through a very traumatic event. Many of them came out to the site within seconds of the crash, and many of them, in fact, tried to respond to the crash in the best way they could. And some of them, I think, are going through some tough times, and I just want to let them know that our thoughts and prayers are with them also, and I want to thank all the employees of the hangar -- in that facility, and we are so grateful that none of them were hurt, and that was the best piece of news that we got today, that no one has been hurt who worked in the hangar or in the near vicinity. I'm very, very pleased to report that.
So with that, I'm hear to answer any questions. We have members of this team here. Let go and have them give the latest update on any other further information.
BLITZER: That was the mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mayor Pat McCrory, giving his thanks to all the first responders, the firefighters, and others who got to the scene and prevented what could have been even a worse tragedy. Already, 19 passengers confirmed dead. The two crewmembers, the pilot, the co-pilot also dead on takeoff, that bad takeoff at Charlotte Airport in North Carolina earlier today.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired January 8, 2003 - 12:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Want to get back to our top story, that plane crash in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier today. There's a news conference going on. Let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
PAT MCCRORY, MAYOR, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: ... members are behind me at this point in time. This is the same emergency response team that we put together during Hugo, during the September 11 tragedy, and also during the recent ice storm. This emergency response team has worked with distinction today in responding and working together as a team, and I'll let them answer any specific questions.
Let me also say I had the opportunity at the site of this terrible crash to talk to the firefighters who were the first responders to this crash. And I'd like to give them a special thanks. They responded within just a few minutes to the scene. They put out the fire within, I think, less than two minutes, and they have handled this job with great distinction and courage.
I'd like to also say on behalf of the employees that were in the hanger, and I also had the opportunity to go speak to the employees in the hangar, I'd like to give them a thank you. They've gone through a very traumatic event. Many of them came out to the site within seconds of the crash, and many of them, in fact, tried to respond to the crash in the best way they could. And some of them, I think, are going through some tough times, and I just want to let them know that our thoughts and prayers are with them also, and I want to thank all the employees of the hangar -- in that facility, and we are so grateful that none of them were hurt, and that was the best piece of news that we got today, that no one has been hurt who worked in the hangar or in the near vicinity. I'm very, very pleased to report that.
So with that, I'm hear to answer any questions. We have members of this team here. Let go and have them give the latest update on any other further information.
BLITZER: That was the mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mayor Pat McCrory, giving his thanks to all the first responders, the firefighters, and others who got to the scene and prevented what could have been even a worse tragedy. Already, 19 passengers confirmed dead. The two crewmembers, the pilot, the co-pilot also dead on takeoff, that bad takeoff at Charlotte Airport in North Carolina earlier today.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
