Plane collides with Black Hawk helicopter before crashing into river in Washington

Dozens are feared dead after an American Airlines jet collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport.

A desperate search operation involving hundreds of first responders is now focused on the nearby Potomac River after both aircraft plunged into the freezing water.

CBS News reports that at least 18 bodies have been recovered so far.

US President Donald Trump questioned the actions of both the military helicopter and air traffic controllers in a post on Truth Social, saying: ‘This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.’

American Airlines confirmed 64 people were on board the regional passenger jet at the time of the crash, 60 passengers and four crew. There were three soldiers inside the helicopter, an official said.

Worried relatives gathered at the airport have said they are getting more information from press reports of the crash than from officials.

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