Donald Trump’s running mate Mike Pence has had a narrow escape after his plane slid off the runway while landing in New York City.
The Republican VP candidate told reporters he was fine after the rough touchdown at LaGuardia Airport. No one was injured.
Mike Pence and the other 30 or so passengers were evacuated through the back of the plane. He was coming from a campaign event in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
LaGuardia Airport has been closed until further notice, said officials.
The pilot slammed on the brakes and passengers on the aircraft could smell burning rubber.
Photo Getty Images
Live TV footage showed Mike Pence standing in the rain near the plane among emergency vehicles, talking to police and other officials.
The Iowa governor tweeted: “So thankful everyone on our plane is safe. Grateful for our first responders & the concern & prayers of so many. Back on the trail tomorrow!”
He said mud had splashed on the front windows of the cockpit.
Donald Trump called Mike Pence to check on him after the incident, the campaign said.
“Mr. Trump did reach out to Gov Pence. He’s glad that everyone on board is safe,” Donald Trump spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in an emailed statement.
The Republican nominee was in a motorcade en route to a rally in Geneva, Ohio.
Donald Trump told supporters at his rally about Mike Pence’s plane mishap, saying: “You know, he was in a big accident with a plane.
“The plane skidded off the runway and was pretty close to grave, grave danger, but I just spoke to Mike and he’s fine. He got out. Everybody’s fine.”
Mike Pence canceled a fundraising event that he was to take part in at Trump Tower in Manhattan, and headed to his hotel.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence has been selected to be Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate.
Donald Trump’s campaign planned to announce his selection on July 15, but canceled the event because of the attack in Nice, France.
On July 15, Donald Trump confirmed the selection on Twitter.
Donald Trump hopes Mike Pence – a former congressman popular among social conservatives – can help him shore up support among wavering Republicans.
Other candidates in the running were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Photo Getty Images
Before his current job, Mike Pence, 57, spent 12 years in Washington in the House of Representatives.
Mike Pence’s legislative experience and position of governor of a Midwestern state could give Donald Trump advantages in the general election.
The Indiana governor is strongly anti-abortion and signed a religious freedom bill, which some saw as anti-gay, into law.
The likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton quickly responded to the selection on the same day, emphasizing Mike Pence’s stances on gay rights and abortion.
The campaign hopes that Mike Pence will help boost Donald Trump’s image with social conservatives who have been unsettled by Trump’s brash persona.
Donald Trump has said he wants a running mate who could help him work with Congress.
However, Donald Trump and Mike Pence differ on some key issues including the billionaire’s call to ban Muslim from entering the US.
In 2015, Mike Pence tweeted that Donald Trump’s plan was “offensive and unconstitutional”.
He has also expressed support for free trade agreements and was in favor of the war in Iraq, which Donald Trump says he was not.
Mike Pence also criticized Donald Trump for his attacks on Hispanic judge Gonzalo Curiel, who was born in Indiana.
Donald Trump had said Gonzalo Curiel could not possibly rule fairly in a case against him became of his Hispanic heritage.
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