On the 15th anniversary of the "Miracle on the Hudson" rescue, passengers and crew members reunited to recount the details of the day. Around 50 passengers, ferry boat operators, and hospital workers joined together at Pier 79 in New York City to honor the first responders who performed “the most successful marine rescue in aviation history” when they jumped into action to save those aboard the US Airways Flight 1549, which splashed down into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009.
All 150 passengers and crew members onboard survived the plane crash that day.
“It’s amazing how people come together even when they don’t know each other,” Dave Sanderson, a passenger on the flight and the event organizer said. He recalled the moment he heard an explosion and looked out a window, only to see fire shooting out from under the plane.
After taking off, the plane hit a flock of Canada geese, which caused both engines to fail. Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and first officer Jeffrey Skiles had to act fast. “We’re going to be in the Hudson,” the captain radioed in to Air Traffic Control at the time.
More from LittleThings: Pilot Deploys Full-Plane Parachute After Losing Power And Saves Everyone On Board
Passenger Denise Lockie, who helps the passengers and crew keep in touch, wears a silver necklace of antique airplane charms that she started collecting after the crash. “I can only say that the past 15 years that’s one heavy of a day to remember: the bravery, the dignity, the respect that was shown," she said of the first responders. “I’m not 100% sure what happened, but I’m grateful. Without you, this could have been a tragic event and it wasn’t. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
