At 16:00 the British Transport Police have investigated reports on flight US132 and can now confirm that the aircrafts failed engine was caused via 2 drones colliding with the plane roughly 1500 meters from London city airport. Work has started immediately on recovering the plane by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
Essex police confirm at 15:45 that all passengers have been brought to shore safety, however one passenger has been rushed to Queens Hospital in Romford with a suspected heart attack. Police have also told us they will assist all passengers in arranging plans to get home safely.
Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre have shared a photo, on twitter, at 15:30 of the passengers being provided with food and drink too while everyone involved contacts their friends and families and give us another confirmation that everyone is safe.
The Essex police have informed us that the first batch of passengers have been safely brought to shore via rafts. The Essex ambulance crew are currently carrying out medical checks. The U.S. Airways staff have reported that all 42 passengers and 6 crew members have come out without any serious injures, only 2 passengers having minor injuries.
A confirmed photograph from a passenger, Nadine Johnson, letting us that everyone is all accounted for at 15:10 and that the pilot truly is the hero of this story.
Essex Police give us an update, letting us know that a RNLI lifeboat has arrived at the scene with another en route from Southend. The details given are that the plane has landed approximately 100 miles from shore at Purfleet RSPB reserve. They have confirmed that the passengers are moving onto the wings and onto rafts for safety.
London City Airport have now confirmed that radar contact was lost with flight US132 at 14:31. The flight had just taken off from London city airport heading towards Amsterdam airport, the pilot had just reported engine failure and not enough power to return.
The crash has been confirmed by the London Fire Service at 14:40, they have informed us that the Thames River Police and the RNLI are heading towards the scene.
At 14:30 today, we an U.S Airways aeroplane has crash landed into the river Thames. The plane has been spotted by Rainham Marshes, via members of the public.