Responders recall a mission of recovery and grief a year after the midair collision near DC

Responders are recalling their efforts to recover victims and valuables from a midair collision near Washington D.C., one year after the tragic incident occurred on January 29, 2025. The collision involved American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army helicopter, resulting in the deaths of 67 people. Families of the victims gathered on Wednesday evening to mark the first anniversary, just one day after investigators testified about years of ignored warnings and near-misses prior to the accident. D.C. Public safety scuba divers played a crucial role in recovering victims' remains and personal belongings from the cold and murky Potomac River. The Metropolitan Police Department conducted an investigation into the incident, which is ongoing. The anniversary marks a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of the midair collision.

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