WASHINGTON: An American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the frigid Potomac River after a mid-air collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday (Jan 29) night, officials said.
The wrecked fuselages of both the US military helicopter and the commercial jet involved in a collision over the Potomac River are lying in the water, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser told a press briefing early Thursday.
Responders conducting search and rescue operations were facing “extremely rough” conditions in the river and search efforts by an estimated 300 responding personnel including divers were impeded by the “very dark, very murky” water at near-frigid temperatures, added Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly.
CBS News reported that at least 18 bodies had been recovered so far, citing a police official. Two sources told Reuters multiple bodies had been pulled from the water.
American Airlines confirmed that 64 people were aboard the jet: 60 passengers and four crew members.
Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, a US official said. The US Army Black Hawk helicopter was “a training flight”, said a military spokesperson.
