Dale Earnhardt Jr. Rushed to Hospital After Plane Crashes in Tennessee
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was rushed to the hospital on Thursday after a plane he was riding in crashed and caught fire in Tennessee.
The NASCAR legend was on the plane with his wife, Amy, and 1-year-old daughter, Isla, as well as two others and a family dog, ET has learned.
"I can confirm Dale, Amy & Isla along with his two pilots were involved in a crash in Bristol TN this afternoon. Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation," Earnhardt's sister, Kelly, wrote on Twitter. "We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding."
I can confirm Dale, Amy & Isla along with his two pilots were involved in a crash in Bristol TN this afternoon. Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding.
— Kelley Earnhardt (@EarnhardtKelley) August 15, 2019
Sheriff Dexter Lunceford of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department tells ET that Earnhardt was taken to the Johnson City Medical Center for minor injuries, described as cuts and abrasions. Lunceford says that Earnhardt was alert and talking. He was transported to the hospital via ambulance, ET has learned.
A spokesman for the Carter County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office tells ET that first responders were notified at 3:38 p.m. local time that a plane had run off the end of a runway, crashed and caught fire at Elizabethton Municipal Airport. "Everyone who was on the plane made it off alive," the spokesman said.
Media Statement:
At approximately 3:38 PM Wednesday, first responders were alerted that Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s jet ran off the end of the runway near the Elizabethton Municipal Airport. The CCSO, @ElizabethtonPD, @THPFallBranch, Elizabethton Fire Dept., 1/3 pic.twitter.com/pF8FQQwofm— Carter County SO (@CarterTNSheriff) August 15, 2019
BREAKING PHOTOS: Plane reportedly carrying Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife crashes in Elizabethton, Tennessee; both are believed to be okay following the crash - WJHL-TV pic.twitter.com/DpB7CSx4hg
— News Breaking LIVE (@NewsBreaking) August 15, 2019
A spokesman for the Carter County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office tells ET that the plane that crashed is owned by Earnhardt.
According to a spokesperson for the FAA, the Cessna Citation rolled off the end of Runway 24 and caught fire after landing at Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Tennessee at 3:40 p.m. on Thursday. The FAA will investigate and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the probable cause of the accident.
NBC Sports issued a statement via Twitter on Thursday afternoon. "We're incredibly grateful that Dale, his wife Amy, daughter Isla, and the two pilots are safe following today's accident. After being discharged from the hospital, we communicated with Dale and his team, and we're all in agreement that he should take this weekend to be off with his family. We look forward to having him back in the booth next month at Darlington," they said.
NBC Sports statement on Dale Earnhardt Jr.: pic.twitter.com/O364HDMn3d
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) August 16, 2019
I know I speak for everyone here in saying we are so grateful for the outpouring of concern and support. Everyone is doing well enough. Lots of hugs. Lots of prayers to the Good Lord. 🙏🏼
— Mike Davis (@MikeDavis88) August 16, 2019
See more on Earnhardt in the video below.
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