Rescue bid as plane crashes into river
A plane crashed into the Hudson River in New York today, sending passengers fleeing for safety in the freezing water.
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said US Airways Flight 1549 had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport en route to Charlotte, North Carolina, when the crash happened in the river near 48th Street.
Ms Brown said the plane, an Airbus 320, may have been hit by birds.
The FBI said there was no suggestion of terrorist involvement.
The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows.
Rescue crews had opened the door and were pulling passengers in yellow lifevests from the aircraft.
Several boats, including commuter ferries, surrounded the plane, which appeared to be slowly sinking.
New York City firefighters were at the scene. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.
“I saw what appeared to be a tail fin of a plane sticking out of the water,” said Erica Schietinger, whose office windows at Chelsea Piers look out over the Hudson.
“All the boats have sort of circled the area... I can’t tell what’s what at this point.”
Survivors praised the pilot, saying the plane stayed intact despite the emergency landing.
They also said rescuers were very quick to reach passengers.
