Firefighter alleges defamation over Asiana crash

A San Francisco firefighter has filed a legal claim alleging fire officials falsely identified her to the media as the person responsible for killing a 16-year-old survivor of the Asiana Airlines crash.

According to Elyse Duckett’s claim, fire officials wanted to protect the firefighter who first ran over Ye Meng Yuan and was responsible for her death.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported the claim on Monday. The newspaper reports footage shows Duckett’s rig was the second to roll over Meng Yuan, who was covered in fire foam. The girl was one of three people killed in the July 6 crash.

Such claims are generally precursors to lawsuits. Duckett is seeking $300,000 in damages.

City and fire officials didn’t immediately respond to messages left early Tuesday by The Associated Press.