Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he and his family are “truly blessed” to have survived last week’s plane crash in Tennessee.

The retired NASCAR driver’s comment marks the first time he’s spoken out about Thursday’s incident, which occurred at Elizabethton Municipal Airport. “We are truly blessed that all on board escaped with no serious injuries, including our daughter, our two pilots and our dog Gus,” Earnhardt said in a statement released Monday.

“With respect to the investigation, we will not be speculating or discussing the cause of the accident. I am thankful for the quick response of my pilots, local law enforcement, emergency personnel and hospital staff.”

The harrowing incident occurred late in the afternoon as the small Cessna carrying the Earnhardts was attempting to land.

While investigators have remained tight-lipped on details of the crash, witnesses reported seeing the plane skid off the end of the runway and burst into flames. All five people, as well as Earnhardt’s dog, managed to escape uninjured.

Danielle Tufano

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