Two Reported In "Good" Condition, One "Critical"

A pre-dawn collision of a regional jet and a maintenance truck on a runway at Chicago O'Hare International Airport has left three people hospitalized.

The Associated Press reports two mechanics and no passengers were aboard the United Express jet, operated by SkyWest Airlines. Chicago Fire Department Chief Joe Roccasalva said the plane was traveling from a hangar to a gate at O'Hare with it collided with the truck around 5 a.m.

The driver of the truck was extricated from the city vehicle and transported in critical condition to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. The two mechanics from the plane were transported in good condition to Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, Roccasalva said.

Chicago Department of Aviation spokeswoman Karen Pride said a runway at O'Hare was closed for almost two hours due to the incident, but flight operations were not affected.

United Airlines spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said United planned to work with SkyWest to determine what caused the collision. "We will conduct a full investigation," she said.

Officials reviewed United surveillance footage, but due to the morning darkness and lights on the runway, they "could not find who was responsible for the accident," SkyWest spokeswoman Nicole Drew said. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were also investigating the incident, she added.

FMI: www.ohare.com, www.skywest.com