Late Thursday night, tragedy struck near Louisville International Airport when a UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff, hitting a nearby truck stop and erupting into flames.

Authorities have now confirmed that 11 people were injured, several critically, as the crash sent shockwaves through the community.

Among the injured, sources have identified a relative of legendary folk singer and human-rights activist Joan Baez, whose music and voice have inspired movements for peace and justice for more than half a century.

“It Was Like the Night Caught Fire”

Witnesses say the crash happened in an instant.

“The whole sky turned orange,” recalled trucker Raymond Ellis, who was parked nearby. “The sound was so loud it rattled your chest. People ran toward the flames — they didn’t even think twice.”

Emergency responders battled the blaze for hours, rescuing victims and containing hazardous materials.

Louisville Fire Chief Tom Jeffers described the response as “a display of courage and humanity in the middle of chaos.”

“Everyone — first responders, bystanders, truckers — they worked shoulder to shoulder to save lives,” he said.

A Family Connection That Shook the World

Early Friday morning, a spokesperson for Joan Baez confirmed that a member of her extended family was among the injured.

“Joan and her family are deeply shaken and heartbroken,” the statement read.

“They ask for privacy, prayer, and compassion — not only for their loved one, but for every person affected by this horrific event.”

The injured relative, whose name has not been released, is being treated at University of Louisville Hospital and is listed in serious but stable condition.

Friends close to Baez say the 83-year-old singer has been in quiet contact with her family and “is holding to her lifelong belief that love and solidarity must lead through loss.”

“We Rise by Holding Each Other”

Messages of support flooded social media from fans, artists, and activists who have long followed Baez’s humanitarian work.

“Her songs taught us empathy,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Now the world is sending that same empathy back to her.”

Across Louisville, church bells rang at noon as residents gathered to pray for victims. Local radio stations even played Baez’s “Forever Young” in tribute — a song that has carried hope through decades of crisis.

“We rise by holding each other,” said one pastor at a community vigil. “That’s the message she’s always given us — and tonight, it feels truer than ever.”

The Investigation Begins

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed Friday that the plane’s black box has been recovered and a full investigation is underway. Preliminary reports suggest a possible mechanical failure, though officials have not ruled out other causes.

UPS issued a statement expressing deep sorrow and pledging full cooperation.

“Our hearts go out to every family affected,” the company said. “We are providing support to victims and first responders in Louisville.”

A Legacy of Compassion

Known not only as a folk icon but also as a voice of conscience, Joan Baez has spent her life championing peace, civil rights, and compassion for those in pain.

From marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to singing at candlelight vigils for victims of war and injustice, her legacy has always been grounded in empathy.

“She’s never been about fame,” said a longtime friend. “She’s about humanity — and she’ll carry that same compassion through this moment, too.”

From Tragedy, a Glimpse of Hope

As investigators continue their work, stories of quiet heroism have emerged from the wreckage. One volunteer described a moment that silenced everyone at the scene:

“Someone started softly singing ‘Amazing Grace.’ Within seconds, firefighters and survivors joined in. It wasn’t planned. It just happened.”

For a moment, amid the devastation, there was unity — the kind Joan Baez herself has spent a lifetime singing about.

And as night fell again over Louisville, one of her own lyrics echoed across the tributes online:

“Though the road may be long, love will carry us home.”

Because even in grief, her message endures — that compassion is stronger than fire, and the human heart still finds a way to sing.