A major search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac river after an American Airlines plane collided in mid-air with a Black Hawk helicopter.
60 passengers and four crew were onboard the passenger plane whilst three people were onboard the US Army helicopter at the time of the incident.
According to CBS news, 18 bodies have been recovered although officials have so far refused to confirm the number of fatalities at this stage.
Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to say that the incident “could have been prevented”.
He said: ” The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.
“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
