Hopes of retrieving the remaining bodies from the wrecks of an American Airlines passenger jet and an army Blackhawk helicopter sitting in the Potomac River in Washington prior to the fuselage’s removal have been shelved until the wreckage is removed.
Authorities confirmed at a press conference at Ronald Reagan Airport on Friday (local time) that the operation is now a salvage effort and the remaining bodies will be brought to the surface inside the the two wrecks.
The confirmed death toll now sits at 41 with the remains of 28 of those bodies being identified and the families of 18 people confirmed to have been killed notified, as the heartbreaking task of identifying bodies and informing relatives continues.
Crucial details have come to light as the Washington DC fire chief delivered updates on the painstaking salvage operation to remove the fuselage of the American Airlines passenger jet and army chopper that still lay in the freezing Potomac River.
The helicopter will be the first of the two to be lifted form the river with the passenger jet wreckage hopefully lifted and removed on Saturday (local time), with bad weather and strong currents having slowed the process.
When asked if the plane needs to be lifted from the river to recover the remaining bodies, Washington DC Fire and EMS Chief, John Donnelly responded, “Yes, we are focusing on retrieving the helicopter from the river today and will look to start on the plane tomorrow”.
“We have removed and confirmed 41 bodies fro wreckage, with 28 of those identified and 18 families notified,” Chief Donnelly told reporters.
“We have had 911 calls received about debris downstream but no bodies or body parts,” Chief Donnelly said.
“Local residents have been urged to report and recover any debris they find downstream.”
Ronald Reagan Airport Vice President Terry Liercke told reporters they will be liaising with the FAA in coming days and weeks as they prepare plans to reopen the airport in full, with two of three runways still closed after the tragic event.
Authorities faced the intense media gathering as reporters quizzed Mr Liercke strongly about where the “buck stops” with regard to questions over staffing levels and safety measures at one of the world’s busiest airports.
When asked who is responsible for making sure the next plane to take off at Ronald Reagan Airport is safe to do so Mr Liercke answered “we have to refer to the federal safety regulators”.
“We have the safest air space in the US and we work with the FAA on air space plans”, Mr Liercke said.
Local authorities have faced an intense media gathering as they fielded questions on recovery efforts and accusations of mismanagement at the Ronald Reagan Airport in the US capital, Washington.
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