Hudson river plane crash pilot hailed as a hero

Jan 16 2009 By Gary Marks

AIRLINE pilot Chesley Sullenberger was today hailed the saviour of the US jet which crashed into the freezing waters of New York’s Hudson River.

In what was described as ‘the miracle on the Hudson’, the former fighter pilot ace managed to land the plane intact on the water from where emergency services and commercial ferries were able to transport all 155 passengers to safety.

Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, said: “The pilot did a masterful job of landing the plane in the river and making sure that everyone got out.

“I had a long conversation with the pilot, who walked the plane twice after everyone got off to make sure there was no-one left on board. He did a wonderful job.”

Governor David Paterson added: “We have had a miracle on 34th Street, I believe now we have had a miracle on the Hudson.”

One of the first rescuers on the scene said Sullenberger seemed impervious to the chaos around him.

“He looked absolutely immaculate,” the rescuer said. “He looked like David Niven in an airplane uniform. He looked unruffled. His uniform was sharp. You could see him walking down the aisles making sure everybody got out.”

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