On Sunday morning, family members of the 67 victims who perished in the Washington, D.C., plane accident convened near the Potomac River to mourn their loved ones and pay their respects.
The emotional gathering occurs days following the tragic midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional aircraft that occurred on Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
A Community in Mourning
Dozens of grieving relatives could be seen standing solemnly along the riverbank, commemorating those lost in the catastrophic crash that left no survivors. Among the victims were:
- A civil rights attorney
- A biology professor
- Champion figure skaters
- Other professionals and travelers whose lives were cut short
Related News: First U.S. Midair Collision in 16 Years Leaves 67 Dead
Seeking Answers Amid the Potomac River Tragedy
During a press briefing on Saturday, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator J. Todd Inman acknowledged the deep pain felt by the families and emphasized the urgency of the investigation.
“They’re all just hurt, and they want answers, and we want to give them answers,” Inman said. “It’s horrible. No one has to suffer this.”
Potomac River: Wreckage Recovery Efforts Underway
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is set to begin the removal of both the jet and helicopter wreckage from the Potomac River on Monday as investigators work to determine the cause of the fatal collision.
As the nation grapples with this devastating tragedy, families, officials, and the public await further details on what led to one of the deadliest air disasters in recent history.
