10-Year-Old Hero Protected His Sister From Falling Debris When Plane Crashed in Philly

Andre “Trey” Howard III, a 10-year-old African American boy from Philadelphia, was struck in the head by metal debris while shielding his sister, Ayura, when a plane crashed on January 31st not too far from their home. Despite the severity of his injuries, however, Trey has made an incredible recovery.Trey was in the car with his father and two younger siblings, ages 4 and 7, to pick up donuts when the medical transport plane crashed near Roosevelt Mall in Northeast Philadelphia. The crash killed seven people, including all six passengers on the plane, and injured at least 24 others.

As metal debris scattered across the scene, Trey immediately acted to protect his sister, telling her to “get down” before he was struck by metal in the head.

“And he grabs her, I hear the glass shatter. I turn around, there’s a piece of metal sticking out of my son’s head from the plane,” Trey’s father Andre Howard Jr. recalled, according to People.

Andre used socks and a stranger’s shirt to stop the bleeding before police rushed Trey to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital. Doctors initially told his family that his chances of survival were slim after emergency brain surgery, but Trey defied the odds and woke up.

His father said his first words were about his sister and the Super Bowl. “Did I save my sister?” he asked his father, who was deeply moved by the question. Trey also expressed relief, asking about the Super Bowl, quickly confirming he hadn’t missed the game.

During his recovery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Trey received a visit from Philadelphia 76ers player Tyrese Maxey. Trey’s father described the emotional moment, saying, “He says thank you to everybody. He cries, ‘Daddy, I’m a celebrity.’ ‘No, you’re bigger than a celebrity. You’re a superhero.’”

Trey’s family has launched a GoFundMe to cover Trey’s medical and rehabilitation expenses, raising over $55,000 so far.