A miracle

Image: Gary Hershorn / Reuters

Passengers stand on jet's wings

NEW YORK - A US Airways jetliner crashed into the frigid Hudson River on Thursday afternoon after both engines were disabled, sending more than 150 passengers and crew members scrambling onto rescue boats.

The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows. Rescue crews opened the door and pulled passengers in yellow life vests from the plane. Rescue boats and commuter ferry boats that ply the Hudson surrounded the plane, which appeared to be slowly sinking in the near-freezing water. The temperature was around 20 degrees (minus 6.7 Celsius).

Witnesses said the plane's pilot appeared to guide the plane down.