Passenger Plane Collides with US Army Helicopter in Washington DC, Leading to Fatal Crash
18 Bodies Recovered from Potomac River, Authorities Investigating
Table of Contents
- Incident Overview
- Witness Accounts
- Official Reactions
- Rescue Operations and Casualties
- Investigation and Ongoing Response
- Conclusion
1. Incident Overview
A tragic accident occurred when a passenger plane with 64 people on board collided with a US Army helicopter in mid-air near Washington DC. The crash caused the plane to plummet into the Potomac River, where search and rescue teams have been working under freezing conditions to recover survivors and bodies. As of now, 18 bodies have been recovered, with efforts still ongoing.
The collision took place near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, forcing the airport to ground all flights as authorities investigate the cause of the crash.
2. Witness Accounts
Witnesses reported seeing unusual activity in the sky prior to the crash. Jimmy Mazeo, who was dining with his girlfriend near the airport, described seeing what appeared to be a “white flare” in the sky. He also noticed that planes flying into the airport were acting in “irregular patterns.”
Mazeo later saw the plane’s underside, which should not have been visible during a normal landing, and observed sparks resembling a “giant roman candle” trailing from the aircraft. He initially didn’t realize the severity of the situation until emergency services arrived at the scene.
3. Official Reactions
US President Donald Trump expressed his concern over the crash, calling it a “terrible accident.” He said that he had been fully briefed and was closely monitoring the situation. In a statement, he also extended his condolences, stating, “May God Bless their souls.” On his TruthSocial account, he commented further, raising questions about how the incident occurred and suggested that it could have been prevented.
Vice President JD Vance also called for prayers for those involved in the tragedy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy both stated that they were keeping a close watch on the situation.
4. Rescue Operations and Casualties
The crash left many passengers and crew members trapped in the river. Search teams have recovered 18 bodies, but the operation is still ongoing, and more bodies may be found as teams continue scouring the icy waters. Rescue efforts have been hampered by freezing temperatures, making it even more challenging for emergency responders.
The exact number of survivors remains unknown, and officials have yet to confirm whether anyone on board survived the crash.
5. Investigation and Ongoing Response
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. In a recent interview, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested that changes to flight paths near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport could be considered if deemed necessary after the investigation.
Duffy confirmed that the incident would be thoroughly reviewed to determine what went wrong and if any measures could be taken to prevent such a tragedy in the future.
6. Conclusion
This is a developing story, and authorities are working tirelessly to investigate the cause of the crash and recover the remaining bodies from the river. The incident has left many people devastated, and both local and national leaders have expressed their sorrow and support for the victims and their families.
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Disclaimer: Above information have been compiled from various newspapers and is being published for information purpose only.
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