January 15, 2009

A U.S. Airways jet crashed Thursday in the Hudson River in New York City after birds struck two of its engines, but everyone aboard survived. Passengers were sent fleeing into the icy waters after the Airbus 320 went down shortly after takeoff.

Two of the jet's engines were hit by birds, according to government officials. Police said everyone on board survived and were being taken to area hospitals. It wasn't known how many were injured. Passengers could be seen standing on the wings of the jet floating in the water immediately after the crash. Flight 1549 had just taken off from New York's LaGuardia Airport at 3:26 p.m. Thursday when it went down.

The flight had 146 passengers and five crew on board and was heading for Charlotte, N.C. The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows but remained completely intact. Rescue crews had opened the door and were pulling passengers in yellow life vests from the plane. Several boats — including commuter ferries — surrounded the plane, which appeared to be slowly sinking.

New York City firefighters, federal transportation officials and an armada of boats were responding to the accident. "I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water," said witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at The Associated Press. The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows, and rescue crews had opened the door and were pulling passengers in yellow life vests from the plane.