Former “Dancing with the Stars” professional Charlotte Jorgensen was a passenger on an Air Canada flight that crashed into a Port Authority vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport last week.
The Danish dancer detailed how she survived the harrowing experience in an Instagram post on Sunday, admitting she is struggling with the aftermath.
“One week ago tonight, after a wonderful weekend in Montreal, I boarded Air Canada Flight 8646 to LaGuardia, New York City,” she wrote. “Most people have probably heard of a collision with a fire truck on the runway.”
Jorgensen, 54, said her life was saved by Air Canada pilots Antoine Forrest and Mackenzie Gunther, who died in the crash, calling them “two brave souls.”
“They made the ultimate sacrifice for us all to live… I am grateful to them and my thoughts go out to their families 🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️,” she shared.
Jorgensen explained that she is still reeling from the horrific incident.
“I didn’t feel anything that night because the adrenaline was pumping through my body, but the days that followed were tough physically, mentally and emotionally,” she said.
The dancer added that she is now safe at home and is “taking time to recover.”
“Thank you for all the love I’ve received and sending you all a special warm hug 🫂🙏❤️,” she told her followers.
At the end of her post, Jorgensen thanked the “DWTS” family for their “care and consideration.”
Jorgensen appeared professionally on the first season of the reality show in 2005. She partnered with actor and comedian John O’Hurley. They took second place.
O’Hurley’s wife Lisa commented on the post: “Charlotte, I’m so glad you’re safe. What a heartfelt thank you from someone who was actually there.”
“(My son) Will is now a pilot and it was very hard to watch. These two are heroes,” Lisa added.
On the night of March 22, an Air Canada plane carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, including two pilots, collided with a rescue truck responding to another emergency at LaGuardia Airport.
Audio captured air traffic controllers desperately trying to stop the crash, shouting: “Stop, stop, stop, stop!”
He was later heard saying, “I failed.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
