Nikole Babb, nbabb@cherryroad.com
A prayer vigil will be held today at 12pm to uplift the Wichita community and honor the victims as well as their families affected by the American Airlines Flight 5342 that tragically crashed into an army helicopter last night in Washington D.C.
Around 9pm in Washington D.C., an American Airlines plane departing from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport collided with an Army helicopter mid-air while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport. The plane has been reported to be carrying 60-70 passengers, including several U.S. ice skaters, coaches and their family members.
This comes just after the weekend of the Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships where several of our country’s ice skaters competed in Wichita.
The manifest of the passengers on board haven’t been released yet and there are reports out of D.C. confirming that they have been searching for victims since the crash happened last night. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered in the Potomac River.
Three soldiers have been reported to have been onboard the Army helicopter. The reason for the crash is unknown, but Air Traffic Control, (ATC), audio indicated that ATC reached out to the helicopter, asking if the pilot could see the airplane, with no response. When the pilot did not answer, the ATC agent directed the helicopter to travel behind the plane just seconds before they collided.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall released a statement hours after the crash.
“Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare. A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim, and that he continues to be with their families.
There are no words that can make telling this story any easier. 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. I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.”
The prayer vigil will be held in the Wichita City Council Chambers located at Wichita City Hall at 12pm. The address is 455 N Main. The Times-Gazette would like to extend their condolences to all affected by this tragedy.
