LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A former first responder from Bluegrass Airport who assisted in the aftermath of the 2006 Comair Flight 5191 crash is sharing insights into the impacts of such traumatic events on emergency personnel, as Louisville responders address a recent deadly plane crash.
John Sallee, with nearly 30 years of experience and currently serving as Jessamine County jailer and firefighter, responded to the Comair incident nearly two decades ago. He received multiple national awards for his efforts that day.
“It's probably gonna be the biggest, most dangerous scene that they'll probably deal with in their career,” Sallee said, referencing the ongoing response to the Louisville crash.
He pointed out notable differences between the two tragedies. The Lexington crash took place in an open field, while the Louisville incident caused structural damage and fires in a commercial area. Despite advancements in mental health resources for current first responders, Sallee emphasized that the psychological toll remains significant.
“Any time it's talked about, those guys relive the incident in their mind,” he stated.
Authorities have not confirmed the number of injuries or fatalities related to the recent incident. Emergency response teams are on the scene, but specific details on lane closures or investigations remain pending. Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.