In a devastating incident early Friday morning, three people lost their lives in a small plane crash in South Florida, just near a major interstate highway. The crash was severe enough to propel a nearby car onto railroad tracks, leaving one driver injured.

Boca Raton Fire Rescue assistant chief Michael LaSalle described the harrowing scene, noting that the plane exploded into a fireball upon impact, which caused panic in the surrounding area. Emergency responders have closed several roads near Boca Raton Airport as they deal with the aftermath.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ill-fated aircraft was a Cessna 310, which had departed from Boca Raton Airport and was en route to Tallahassee at approximately 10:20 a.m. when it encountered catastrophic failure.

Eyewitness Josh Orsino was stopped at a red light nearby when he heard an explosion and witnessed the terrifying fireball. "I thought it was an oil rig or a car crash," he recalled. Chaos ensued, with drivers frantically trying to escape the overpass as flames flickered dangerously close.

Miguel Coka, who works near the airport, remarked that the sound of the crash was unlike anything he had experienced before, creating a palpable sense of shock among his colleagues. He captured the moment on video as smoke billowed into the sky.

Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident, stating, "We are still gathering details and are working closely with emergency responders. Our thoughts are with the families affected, and we ask for respect during this painful time." The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead.

This sad event comes just a day after another aerial tragedy, where a New York City sightseeing helicopter tragically broke apart mid-flight, leading to the loss of the pilot and a family of five.

While federal officials work to assure the public that flying remains the safest mode of transportation, increasing incidents of aircraft collisions and near-misses continue to raise concerns. Just this year, multiple near disasters have drawn attention to aviation safety, reminding travelers that vigilance is always necessary.