Plane carrying 64 people ‘split in half’ after crashing into helicopter in Washington DC

Awful news

The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ701 twin-engine jet regional jet was coming into land at Reagan Washington National Airport at 9pm local time.

There are no official figures for the number of dead of injured, but at least 18 bodies have been found, per CBS news. Local media reports that four people have been found alive.

American Eagle flight 5342 was coming in from Wichita, Kansas when it crashed midair into a Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter that was carrying three soldiers.

The helicopter was on a training flight at the time of the collision.

NBC4 reports that the passenger jet reportedly split into two pieces when it crashed, and that it is in seven feet of water in the Potomac River.

A search and rescue operation is underway, with 300 emergency responders on the scene, including divers, boats and helicopters.

John Donnelly, chief of DC fire and EMS, said they are working in "extremely tough conditions."

President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the "terrible accident" and was monitoring the situation closely.

"May God Bless their souls," he said in a statement.

"Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders," he said.

Robert Isom, the CEO of American Airlines, which is the parent brand of American Eagle, expressed "deep sorrow" at the collision in a video shared to their website.