A pilot and a passenger made a daring escape by swimming to safety through the icy waters of the Hudson River after their Cessna 172 was forced to land unexpectedly on Monday night, authorities reported.
The small aircraft departed from Long Island, but shortly after 8 p.m., the pilot had to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River, according to a Facebook update from the Middle Hope Fire Department.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
First responders from Middle Hope Fire Department, along with other local agencies, were quickly on the scene. After conducting a brief search, they located the aircraft within the limits of the City of Newburgh, as confirmed by officials.
A plane rests in the waters of the Hudson River. (Photo courtesy of Facebook/Middle Hope Fire Department)
Fire department officials stated that both the pilot and passenger managed to escape the plane and swim ashore. Once on land, Newburgh Emergency Medical Services assessed their condition before they were taken to a nearby hospital for further medical evaluation.
Multiple agencies were on the scene after a plane crashed into the Hudson River. (Facebook/Middle Hope Fire Department)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul hailed the incident as “Another miracle on Hudson.”
“Thank God both the pilot and passenger of a single engine plane that performed an ice landing near Newburgh have been located with only minor injuries,” the governor wrote in a post on X. “Grateful to our first responders for their quick actions.”
A plane made an emergency landing on the Hudson River Monday evening. (Facebook/Middle Hope Fire Department)
New York Rep. Pat Ryan said he was “closely monitoring reports of a small plane making an emergency landing near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.”
“I’m in touch with officials on the ground, who have shared that both passengers are safely out of the water & have been evacuated by EMS,” he said. “Incredibly grateful for our Hudson Valley first responders who are responding swiftly and put their lives on the line to keep others safe.”
First responders found the plane within the city limits of Newburgh. (Facebook/Middle Hope Fire Department)
The cause of the emergency landing remains under investigation.
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