Two people survived after a small plane crashed into the Hudson River near Newburgh, New York, on Wednesday evening. The incident has been dubbed “another miracle on the Hudson” by New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
The Cessna 172, carrying a pilot and a passenger, was en route to New York Stewart International Airport when it went down in the icy river around 60 miles north of New York City. The air temperature at the time was below freezing, at about 24°F.
Rescue crews from the Middle Hope Fire Department responded at 8:04 pm but initially struggled to locate the aircraft. After several minutes of searching, they found the plane near Newburgh. Both occupants had freed themselves from the wreckage and swum to shore, where they were treated by medics and taken to hospital.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said both individuals are expected to make a full recovery. The cause of the crash is unknown, and the Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation.
The plane had taken off from Long Island MacArthur Airport, about 107 miles from the crash site. Governor Hochul expressed gratitude to first responders, writing on X: “Another miracle on the Hudson. Thank God both the pilot and passenger… have been located with only minor injuries.”
The original “Miracle on the Hudson” occurred in 2009 when US Airways Flight 1549, piloted by Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, made an emergency landing on the Hudson after a bird strike, saving all 155 people on board.
