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Jet blast flips truck on Beef Island; Driver trapped

Fire and Rescue Services officers attached to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport work to free the driver of a truck that was flipped by jet blast on June 26, 2026. Photo: Team of Reporters
BEEF ISLAND, VI- A provisioning truck was flipped by jet blast from an American Airlines aircraft at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island sometime after 1:00 PM today, Friday, June 26, 2026.

According to reports reaching our News Centre, the aircraft was preparing for take off for Miami on Runway 07 when a truck believed to belong to RiteWay Food Markets was struck by jet blast. 

The truck reportedly flipped, and the driver was trapped in the cabin. Fire and Rescue Services officers attached to the airport assisted in freeing the driver. The condition of the driver is unclear to our News Centre at this time.

The American Airlines flight took off without incident.

There is a sign at Terrance B. Lettsome Airport notifying motorists to exercise caution when aircraft are landing and taking off.

We will bring you more details as they come in.

37 Responses to “Jet blast flips truck on Beef Island; Driver trapped”

  • guy hill (26/06/2026, 14:24) Like (24) Dislike (10) Reply
    There is a sign at Terrance B. Lettsome Airport notifying motorists to exercise caution when aircraft are landing and taking off. Hmm.
    Follow the rules and cautions. momma used to say negative or positive. When you do what you do, you get what you get.
    • huh (27/06/2026, 15:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The only place that gets jet blast is the road at the end of the runway - the road running parallel with the runway does not get any blast.
  • Medicat Services (26/06/2026, 14:34) Like (4) Dislike (21) Reply
    So did only the Fire service only went or did the Ambulance and police came also was the man transported to a medical facility. People so like to give half reports before proper and meaningful reports can be given.
    • To Medicat Services (26/06/2026, 21:21) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
      So did only the Fire Service only went? WTF kind of english is that.....
  • yeah (26/06/2026, 15:10) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    Once we extend the runway and build a tunnel under the runway this issue will be addressed. You're welcome.
  • who don't hear will feel (26/06/2026, 15:16) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    Or is it that they can't read?
  • FIRE (26/06/2026, 15:35) Like (30) Dislike (4) Reply
    The driver lying, he was driving careless and in a hurry.
    • @FIRE (26/06/2026, 17:39) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
      Where is your evidence to prove that statement also where you there
      • @@FIRE (27/06/2026, 09:00) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
        You mean ‘were’ you there instead of ‘where’ you there. When you’re correcting someone ensure your grammar is on point.

        The caution sign is posted for safety reasons; drivers just need to exercise vigilance and there’s that word again “caution”.

        Hope the driver is ok
    • Burnout (26/06/2026, 18:09) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      U talk what u don't no
    • @ Fire (26/06/2026, 18:11) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
      Them drivers from RYE and ONE Mart does drive like some real maniacs. I don't doubt you one bit.
  • pat (26/06/2026, 15:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bad news
  • pat (26/06/2026, 16:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Happy nonone was hurt
  • tola (26/06/2026, 16:32) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
    They need put stop light when flight taking off for them to stop cause people trying to beat it
  • live (26/06/2026, 16:42) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    People dont follow rules they take everything for a jokes
  • facts (26/06/2026, 17:21) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ignorance. There are signs in place for a reason for decades now
  • Carlessness (26/06/2026, 17:25) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    The driver was lucky him and the truck didn’t get suck towards the plane engine causing serious to himself. Have anyone ever felt the force of wind from a aircraft getting ready to take off?
    • huh (27/06/2026, 08:20) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      He would have to have been in front of the plane whilst it was taking off to be sucked into the engine!!!
  • Eldread (26/06/2026, 17:57) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    In st Maarten a lot of people at the beach close to the airport fence usually wail to be blown over by the jet blast, it hurl them into the sea water no matter how they brace themselves. The box truck is easy target since it have a broad cross sectional area.
  • who knows (26/06/2026, 18:22) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    It was a sad thing to happen but to blame the driver and say he was careless is not the answer. It has never happened before so it was unexpected sign or no sign as that sign has been there long before AA jets came in and there was no incidents as far as I can recall. Now we know the severity of the situation and the right now solution should be to install lights that will flash red when the more powerful planes are taking off
  • one eye rooster (26/06/2026, 19:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope others learn from this church out it the week end
  • Fran (26/06/2026, 19:15) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    @ Carlessness. The direction of the plane sitting for taking off blows outward to flip you over, not suck you in.
  • watson (26/06/2026, 19:26) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    can you imagine if the runway is extended permitting bigger aircraft into the terminal
  • Direct Flight (26/06/2026, 21:25) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Well, he got a free trip. More like a free flip. Aha ha...
  • Wellsah (26/06/2026, 22:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    That would’ve be a loss of souls event.
  • boy oh boy (26/06/2026, 22:28) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    The truck driver skated this time. Dude played Russian Roulette with his life. You don’t play around a plane that is landing or taking off. Wonder if his boss is going to punish him.
  • The problem with this place is (27/06/2026, 06:46) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are rules but no one enforces the rules.They are to afraid to enforce rules because of who gets mad or people feelings getting hurt. People here does whatever the hell they want to do. They don’t follow/like to follow directions.
  • Cindy (27/06/2026, 07:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    if he works for some companies he will not get an extra dime
  • hmm (27/06/2026, 07:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here we go. Pyiices gone up one more time. Hope the driver is OK.
  • SCB Resident (27/06/2026, 09:21) Like (0) Dislike (10) Reply
    Meanwhile, government could erect 2 ramps. One comingfrom the airport direction and the other after you pass the entrance to Beef Island Beach. Lower the ramps in order to block active traffic from passing when flights are INCOMING OR OUTGOING. The ramps are raised so active traffic eastbound and westbound could flow freely. This could help prevent another incident from happening until extension of the runway is completed.
  • Not reading (27/06/2026, 09:32) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    These. Drivers do not following rules and regulations they see fire and walk write into it because that sign is there from God knows how long
  • resident (27/06/2026, 10:43) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    You dont need any more signs or red lights. It is only the AA planes or private jets that would be a problem, InterCaribbean, WinAir and other airlines ate never a problem. Drivers just need to use their discretion.
  • Raw and Unfiltered (27/06/2026, 11:33) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    How did the vehicle get that close to the blast zone during an aircraft take off? Were the hazards warning signs ignored? Are setback distances needed when aircrafts are taking off, ie, heading to airport from QE II and leaving airport.? Are barriers needed in both locations and control by the tower during takeoff?


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