US figure skaters on board as '19 bodies' recovered from Washington plane crash

Figure skaters returning from a US competition were among 60 passengers on board a flight which collided with an Army helicopter near Washington DC. Authorities are yet to confirm the number of casualties and fatalities after an American Airlines flight 5342 collided with a US Army Blackhawk on Wednesday night (January 29).

The flight had been due to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. A major search-and-rescue operation is taking place on the Potomac River this morning (Thursday).

At least 19 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage, according to CBS News. In a statement, US Figure Skating - the American governing body for the sport - confirmed several of the passengers were returning from a competition in Wichita, Kansas.

"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," a spokesperson for US Figure Skating said. "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available." Around 300 emergency responders are in attendance.

Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the water following the crash. Images from the scene show wreckage being pulled from the river.

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas told a press conference earlier today: "When one person dies it’s a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die it’s an unbearable sorrow."