American Airlines crashes

An American Airlines flight carrying 154 people skidded off the runway and broke in two Tuesday night after landing in Kingston, Jamaica, according to local news reports. At least 40 people were said to be injured. Airline spokesman Charley Wilson said in a short statement there were no reports of fatalities in the accident that occured about 10:22 p.m. local time.

The flight from Miami was carrying 148 passengers and 6 crew members, the airline said.

“The injured passengers have been taken to the Kingston Public Hospital,” Information Minister Daryl Vaz told the Jamaica Observer. “There are no reports of fatalities.”

Additional details were not available, but passengers at the airport told local media that the plane attempted to land in heavy rain when the crash occurred.

Kingston Policeman Oneil Hinds at police headquarters said officers at the scene reported the plane ran off the end of the runway. He said the plane was damaged but did not break apart.

The flight originated in Washington, D.C., before going on to Miami.

“The plane crashed and broke almost in front of me,” passenger Naomi Palmer told the Jamaica Observer. Palmer also said she was in some pain.

Emergency vehicle sirens could be heard as she spoke via cell phone.