The daunting yet vital task of recovering those who perished in last week’s tragic DC plane crash is ongoing.
Last Wednesday, a tragic aeronautical accident occurred when an Army helicopter, carrying three soldiers, collided mid-air with an American Airlines plane. The plane was carrying 64 individuals on board. Both aircraft later descended into the chilly embrace of the Potomac River, setting off an intensive search and recovery operation.
Currently, 55 out of the 67 people who unfortunately lost their lives have been retrieved by dedicated rescue teams navigating these challenging conditions.
Air Collision and Subsequent Plunge into Icy Waters
The description of the working conditions for the rescue teams is no less than ‘grueling’ given the harshness of the environment.
They have expressed that the frigid temperatures significantly limit the time available to locate and possibly rescue any survivors.
The icy conditions were so severe that a diver from the Metropolitan Police Department experienced hypothermia and required immediate medical attention.
He has since been discharged and is reportedly in good health, according to John Donnelly, the Washington DC Fire and EMS Chief.
Rescue units have been methodically scouring the crash site across the Potomac River.
“We are relieved that he is doing well, and thankfully, that stands as the sole injury reported today,” the Fire Chief added in an update shared with NBC News.
As of yesterday, the teams are meticulously assessing the crash site as they prepare to resume recovery efforts.
Emotional Toll on the Rescue Teams
Rescue crews have vividly described the ‘disturbing scenes’ they have encountered during the mission.
Brian Entin from NewsNation quoted one firefighter admitting to being ’emotionally exhausted from witnessing the calamity firsthand’.
In a subsequent communication, Entin conveyed that the same firefighter mentioned how the water clarity, combined with flashlight use, starkly illuminated the wreckage, revealing harrowing details.
The involved firefighters, despite their obvious fatigue and emotional toll, maintain their steadfast dedication to the recovery task.
The firefighter mentioned that with the water being so lucid they were confronted with very unsettling sights as soon as they arrived on site.
Awaiting Answers from Investigation
The cause behind the catastrophic air crash remains a mystery, but authorities and rescue teams are optimistic that they will gain crucial insights from the aircraft’s black boxes.
Jonathan Koziol, a senior aviation adviser from the Army, stressed the value of these devices, explaining, “Many experts are offering their insight, but until we access the black box data, their findings will provide the facts we need to understand what truly occurred.”
