A US Airways flight has crashed into the Thames this afternoon, close to Rainham Marshes. 42 passengers and 6 crew were on board at the time of the crash. 

The flight in question was flight US132, which had recently departed London City Airport, due for arrival at Amsterdam Schipol. LCY lost radar contact with the flight at 14:31pm, with rescue services arriving on the scene soon after. The plane went down with the pilot making the choice to land in the Thames due to engine failure. Original reports stated that a birdstrike was the most likely cause but initial examinations of crafts engines had found drone debris. Work to recover the aircraft is ongoing, as removing the craft from the stretch of the river is a priority.

Initial reports from Essex Police’s twitter account stated that all 42 passengers and 6 crew members had made it ashore, with only 2 passengers being treated for minor injuries, however, it was soon made clear that at least one of those on board was in a more serious condition. As a tweet from Essex police at 15:35pm stated that one passenger had been taken to Queens Hospital, Romford due to a suspected heart attack.

Units from Kent and Essex fire services were some of the first at the site, also being supported by Thames River Police and the RNLI in what was a sizeable rescue operation in the capital’s suburb.  The aircraft ended up 100ft offshore from Purfleet RSPB reserve, where passengers exited the plane via the front exit, with some managing to get themselves onto the wing on the partially submerged vessel. Others ended up on inflatable life rafts, moments after the crash landing. 

Nadine Johnson, a passenger on board flight US132 said via twitter, “Did not expect to spend my birthday standing on the wing of a plane in the middle of the Thames”. Nadine also spoke of the pilot’s ability by saying “the pilot is a total legend for getting us down in one piece” alluding to what was a controlled crash landing.

Shortly after the crash, once all relevant emergency services had arrived, it was announced by Purfleet HMC via twitter, that passengers were being cared for and provided with food and drink after the horrifying ordeal this afternoon. The passengers were soon able to contact relatives to make them aware of status after the incident. Arrangements were being made in order to get some passengers home and others to LCY for onward journeys.

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