“Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer Charlotte Jørgensen is publicly sharing her firsthand account of surviving the recent, fatal Air Canada runway collision. The incident resulted in the tragic deaths of two pilots, who are being hailed for saving everyone else aboard the aircraft.

Remembering the Deadly Runway Incident

On Sunday, Jørgensen, 54, posted a photograph of the severely damaged Air Canada Express plane. She marked one week since the collision occurred and offered a heartfelt tribute to the crew.

“By now, probably most of you have heard of the collision that happened with a firetruck on the runway,” Jørgensen wrote. She credited the two deceased crew members, Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, with saving her life.

A Debt of Gratitude

“I owe my life to two brave souls Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther — they made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live,” she stated. Jørgensen added that she remains deeply indebted to them and extended her thoughts to their grieving families.

The collision took place at 11:35 p.m. on March 22. Jørgensen recounted feeling the jolt of the plane braking hard upon landing in Queens, just moments before the Port Authority fire truck crossed paths with the flight.

Aftermath and Recovery

In the immediate moments following the crash, Jørgensen reported feeling nothing, attributing this to the rush of adrenaline coursing through her body. However, she acknowledged that the subsequent days have been difficult.

She shared that she is currently struggling “physically, mentally and emotionally” during this “tough” recovery period. Consequently, Jørgensen confirmed that she will be taking necessary time away to heal.

Jørgensen, who has participated in ten episodes of the ABC dancing competition since 2005, also expressed gratitude for the support she has received. She specifically thanked her “family” from the show for their expressed “care and concern.”

Ongoing Investigation

The collision caused significant disruption at the airport, leading to hundreds of delays and cancellations in the two days following the event. The cause of the runway incident remains under active investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).