Bodies recovered as American Airlines plane crashes into river after collision
The aircraft dived into Washington DC’s Potomac River after hitting a US Army Black Hawk helicopter shortly before landing.
An American Airlines commercial plane crashed into Potomac River in Washington DC after a mid-air collision with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter just before 9:00 p.m. ET.
How many people were on board?
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the AA flight, which had come from Wichita in Kansas and was moments away from landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington.
Three soldiers were in the helicopter, which was reportedly in the midst of a training mission having set out from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
More than 300 responders set to work on searching for casualties - and potential survivors - in the river, hampered by bitterly cold conditions.
How many casualties are there?
DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly has stated he “doesn’t believe there are any survivors from this accident”. That would mean a death toll of 67.
CBS News have reported that 28 bodies have been recovered since the crash occurred.
In a news conference, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall described the incident as “heartbreak beyond measure” also claiming it was likely more than 60 lives have been lost.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.