DEVELOPING STORY: At least 18 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River after an Army Black Hawk helicopter slammed into an American Airlines regional jet. Watch new videos of the collision below.
The flight, from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land at Reagan National Airport. The collision happened around 9 p.m.
There were believed to be 60 passengers and four crew members on board the jetliner. And there were three military personnel on board the helicopter.
NBC News reports The plane split in half and was found in roughly 7 feet of water. The helicopter is upside down in the water. Divers are in the water, as well.
President Trump said he had been “fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport.” “May God Bless their souls,” he said in a statement.
Reagan National is expected to be closed until at least Friday.
The aircraft was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir in Virginia, Major Montrell Russell at the Office of Chief of Public Affairs said in an army statement.
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu of Wichita told reporters, “We really want to ask each and every Wichitan, Kansan and American to pray for everyone involved in this incident.”
Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas called the incident “nothing short of a nightmare.” In a statement, he urged the public to pray for those affected.
“There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” Marshall said. “I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident.”
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