Southwest Flight Debris Falls In Berks County, Information Sought

The catastrophic Southwest Air plane crash Tuesday that left one woman dead began over Berks County, spreading debris in the area, authorities said.

Residents of nearby Montgomery and Chester counties who commute through Berks County for work or school are asked to keep an eye out for any potential pieces of the plane.

The National Transportation Safety Board said that pieces of the engine were found in the borough of Bernville, Berks County.

State police said that all debris should be reported to the FBI's Allentown Field Office - 610-433-6488 - as it may assist the ongoing investigation into the crash.

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The flight from New York City to Dallas was forced to conduct and emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport after experiencing "metal fatigue" leading to engine failure in the left wing, investigators said.

Passenger Jennifer Riordan, a wife and mother of two from New Mexico, was killed when shrapnel from the engine's explosion shattered her plane window.

The piece of shrapnel that broke off caused the cabin to depressurize. One passenger, believed to be Riordan, was nearly sucked out of the window, but quick-acting passengers pulled her back in.

A total of 12 passengers were evaluated for injuries and seven were treated, but not hospitalized, the Philadelphia Fire Department said.

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