4:44 PM: San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said today that she remained “extremely proud” of her department’s response to a July crash of an Asiana Airlines plane at San Francisco International Airport despite a “tragic accident” that led to the loss of a Chinese girl’s life.
Hayes-White voiced her support for firefighters today following an announcement by San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe that there will be no criminal charges filed in the death of 16-year-old Ye Mangyuan.
Ye was killed after the July 6 Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash when a San Francisco Fire Department vehicle struck the girl as she lay injured on the ground, authorities said.
The girl was covered by firefighting foam at the time she was hit, fire officials have said.
Wagstaffe said there was no criminal culpability for any individual and called the death a “tragic accident,” a phrase that Hayes-White echoed.
“[Firefighters] performed extremely well under the extraordinary circumstances they were faced with,” Hayes-White said in a statement, noting that 304 people survived the crash, many in critical condition.
“If not for the professional rescue, triage, treatment and transport operations that were conducted by all involved agencies, it is likely that there would have been a greater loss of life,” she said.
Hayes-White said the fire department “remains vigilant” in looking for ways to improve its operations, strategies and tactics.
Wagstaffe also praised the response of firefighters in his decision.
“The remarkable efforts of the San Francisco firefighters and police officers in responding to this very chaotic scene and in attempting to save hundreds of lives while exposing themselves to potentially life-threatening circumstances were considered in our review,” he said in a statement.
He added, “Our conclusion remains that it does not involve criminal liability in any manner.”
11:40 AM: San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe announced today that his office will not pursue any criminal charges in connection with the death of a Chinese girl in the July crash of an Asiana Airlines flight at San Francisco International Airport.
Ye Mangyuan, 16, was killed after the July 6 crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214. A San Francisco Fire Department truck struck the girl as she lay injured on the ground, authorities said.
Wagstaffe said there was no criminal culpability for any individual and called her death “a tragic accident.”
Wagstaffe said, “The remarkable efforts of the San Francisco firefighters and police officers in responding to this very chaotic scene and in attempting to save hundreds of lives while exposing themselves to potentially life-threatening circumstances were considered in our review.”
He said, “Our conclusion remains that it does not involve criminal liability in any manner.”
Sara Gaiser, Bay City News
