The husband of one of the passengers onboard the American Airlines<\/p>\n
plane that crashed over Washington DC yesterday evening has revealed the heartbreaking final text he received from his wife.<\/p>\n
According to the Federal Aviation Authority (FDA), at around 21:00<\/p>\n
local time, the airplane in question collided with a US Army<\/p>\n
helicopter as it neared Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.<\/p>\n
Reports state that there were 60 passengers and four crew members onboard<\/p>\n
the plane. The military helicopter, meanwhile, was carrying three soldiers said to be on a training exercise.<\/p>\n
Harrowing CCTV footage, taken from a nearby building, has surfaced online showing<\/p>\n
the moment the plane and helicopter collided. A ball of flames can be seen<\/p>\n
erupting upon the impact, before both aircraft fell into the Potomac River.<\/p>\n
Officials in Washington DC last night refused to confirm reports on casualties,<\/p>\n
insisting instead that they are focused on the ongoing rescue effort.<\/p>\n
According to Washington DC Fire and Emergency Services Chief John Donnelly<\/p>\n
\u2013 as reported by BBC \u2013 around 300 responders on rubber boats have been deployed on the Potomac River to search for survivors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge is access, there is wind, pieces of ice (on the water).<\/p>\n
It is dangerous and hard to work in,\u201d Donnelly said.<\/p>\n
Hamaad Raza, the husband of one of the passengers onboard Flight 5342,<\/p>\n
has opened up on the final text his wife sent him, just minutes before the deadly collision occurred.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now<\/p>\n
as we speak, that\u2019s all I can pray for, I\u2019m just praying to God,\u201d Raza explained to WUSA9.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe texted me that they were landing in 20 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201c\u2018Landing in 20 minutes\u2019, the rest of my texts did not get delivered, that\u2019s when I realized something might be up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the incident, American Airlines issued the following statement:<\/p>\n
\u201cAmerican Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington,<\/p>\n
D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.<\/p>\n
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.<\/p>\n