LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It has been just over two months since UPS Flight 2976 crashed south of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport — a crash that left behind devastation few in the city will ever forget.
You’ve likely seen the video of the crash and the flames that followed. But what most haven’t seen is what police officers and firefighters saw that day — a disaster scene that claimed 15 lives and stretched across an enormous area littered with wreckage.
“See that there’s a body—” one first responder said in body camera footage as crews entered the scene.
The crash site burned for hours. Thick, black smoke could be seen for miles. First responders stopped traffic, ran toward the flames, and at times stood still — watching the fire carry the horror of the crash into the horizon.
“I mean, until this thing is under control, dude — which doesn’t look like anytime soon,” one police officer can be heard saying.
Just beyond the crash area sits a recycling facility where Lou Vincent works. He and his coworkers have spent the past two months trying to get back to some sense of normal.
“Yeah, it was shut down for, I don’t know, five or six weeks,” Vincent said. “It’s pretty horrific back there. My heart goes out to the families.”
Vincent says access to the area remains limited — only people on an approved list are allowed in or out. But now, some businesses near the UPS crash site will be allowed back beginning next Wednesday as cleanup efforts continue and the city considers easing travel in and out of the scene.
Employees will be able to come and go to accept deliveries, a relief for business owners who previously had strict time windows for access. However, access will still be very restricted, limited to businesses on the south side.
Environmental cleanup is still underway in parts of the crash zone, including the area at the north side from Knopp Avenue to Crittenden Drive.
"This isn’t for the general population to be coming back into the area, it’s going to be local access off of the Outer Loop only," Jody Meiman, executive director of Louisville Metro Emergency Services, said.
Previously, businesses had allotted periods of time to access their buildings each day. LG&E work needed to be completed in order for businesses to be given this access.
Crews continue working at the site, and officials said restrictions will stay in place as cleanup progresses.
For those who pass by every day, the blackened ground behind the fence remains a powerful reminder of what was lost — and how fragile life can be.
Related Stories:
Newly released LMPD footage shows aftermath of deadly UPS plane crash
15th victim of deadly UPS plane crash in Louisville identified
Businesses near Grade Lane make progress after deadly UPS plane crash
911 calls reveal panic, chaos after deadly UPS plane crash in Louisville
Louisville officials report progress, ongoing work at still active UPS plane crash site
One month later: Deadly UPS crash leaves lasting mark on Louisville community
'Bills keep coming' | Louisville shops fight to survive as UPS plane crash zone restrictions drag on
Cleanup near Louisville's airport moves into 2nd phase 3 weeks after deadly plane crash
After UPS plane crash, Louisville launches recovery hub for small businesses
