Former “Dancing with the Stars” pro Charlotte Jørgensen was a passenger on the Air Canada flight that crashed into a Port Authority vehicle at LaGuardia Airport in New York last week.
The Danish dancer detailed surviving the harrowing experience in an Instagram post on Sunday, admitting that she’s struggling in the aftermath.
“A week ago tonight, after a fabulous weekend in Montreal, I boarded Air Canada 8646 bound for La Guardia NYC,” she wrote. “By now, probably most of you have heard of the collision that happened with a firetruck on the runway.”
Jørgensen, 54, said that she owes her life to Air Canada pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, who were both killed in the collision, calling them “two brave souls.”
“They made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live…. I am indebted to them and my thoughts are with their families🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️,” she shared.
Jørgensen then explained how she’s still reeling from the scary incident.
“On the night I felt nothing as adrenaline was rushing through my body but the days after has been tough – physically, mentally and emotionally,” she said.
The dancer added that she’s safe at home now and is “taking time to heal.”
“I am grateful for all the love I have received and I send you all an extra warm hug🫂🙏❤️,” she told her followers.
At the end of her post, Jørgensen thanked her “DWTS” family for their “care and concern.”
Jørgensen was a pro on the first season of the reality show in 2005. She was partnered with actor and comedian John O’Hurley. They came in second place.
O’Hurley’s wife, Lisa, commented on the post, “Charlotte I’m so happy you are safe and what a heartfelt gesture of gratitude from someone actually there.”
“As [my son] Will is now a pilot that was very hard to see. These two men are heroes,” Lisa added.
On the night of March 22, an Air Canada plane carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, including the two pilots, smashed into a rescue truck responding to a separate emergency at LaGuardia Airport.
Audio caught an air traffic controller frantically trying to stop the crash, crying out, “Stop, stop, stop, stop!”
He was later heard saying: “I messed up.”
The National Transportation Security Board is investigating the crash.
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