Emergency teams have pulled over 30 bodies from the Potomac River following a deadly mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport, sources told NBC4.
An American Airlines jet with 60 passengers and four crew members crashed into a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers while attempting to land at Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Both aircraft plunged into the frigid Potomac River, prompting a massive response involving 300 first responders in an ongoing search and rescue mission.
Authorities continue to recover victims from the crash site, where American Eagle Flight 5342 and the military helicopter remain submerged, sources confirmed to NBC Washington.
Rescue crews are battling icy waters and strong currents as the multi-agency operation extends into the night.
Local resident Abadi Ismail, who lives near the Potomac River, recalled the chilling moment he heard the collision.
“I was laying down when I heard a ‘bang bang’—a sound you don’t hear every day,” the 38-year-old said. “It sounded like something from a war zone or an action movie.”
Looking out his window, Ismail saw smoke rising south of Reagan Airport and began filming the dramatic rescue efforts.
“With ice, freezing water, and strong currents, this is an extremely difficult mission,” he added.