1st look inside UPS crash site as cleanup continues more than 2 months after deadly crash

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than two months after a UPS cargo plane crashed in Louisville, killing 15 people, cleanup continues at the crash site as families search for closure.

For the first time, the media was allowed inside the site, where much of the debris has been cleared but visible reminders of the tragedy remain.

“We’ve seen it now for two months. What you’re seeing today is nothing compared to what it once looked like, wreckage, debris, and unfortunately bodies,” said Sean Garber, CEO of Grade A Auto Parts, whose business was destroyed when the plane went down.

Garber spoke through a fence surrounding the remains of his business.

“People close to us we lost, and there still aren’t words to properly describe it,” he said.

Thirteen people died at the Grade A site — 10 customers and employees, along with three pilots. Two other victims found on the site were taken to the hospital but later died.

Families of the victims have recently returned to the crash site.

“It seemed that it provided that closure they needed to take care of their families,” said Jody Meimen, Louisville Metro Emergency Management Executive Director.

At another part of the crash site — a trailer storage facility — investigators previously found parts of the plane. The area is now filled with charred vehicles, many marked with an “X” and a zero underneath, indicating first responders searched for bodies and found none.

Louisville MSD crews are treating two million gallons of oily water and have removed 8,500 gallons of solid oil from the site.

“We do not think there is any long-term environmental impact that is negative on the community as a result of this, thanks to the work all of the contractors have done,” Mayor Craig Greenberg said.

John Geary, vice president of Clean Harbors, said his team was contracted by UPS and is overseeing much of the cleanup.

“In 30 years of doing this work all over the country and world, I’ve never worked with the responders and regulators you have in Louisville,” Geary said.

First responders have remained on site since Nov. 4. Okolona Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Carlson is one of them.

“I’ve been out here every day since, besides Christmas time vacation stuff with family,” Carlson said.

The city does not yet know the total cost of the cleanup but says UPS and insurance will cover the expenses.

Overhead, planes continue to fly the same path UPS Flight 2976 should have taken.

Back at Grade A Auto Parts, an ATM sits charred and frozen in time.

“That’s where customers would go and get paid and they would leave,” Garber said.

Now, wreaths hang on the ATM, marked with victims’ names, in the same area where many took their last breath.

Crews have been working nonstop for more than two months, and officials say there is still work left to be done.