All rescued from Hudson River plane crash
NEW YORK, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A US Airways pilot ditched a disabled jetliner in New York's Hudson River Thursday, saving all 150 passengers and five crew members aboard, officials said.
Dozens of people were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries.
Flight 1549, an Airbus A-360, from New York LaGuardia to Charlotte, N.C., went down seven minutes after takeoff at 3:03 p.m. after losing both engines. ABC reported the plane got no higher than 3,200 feet and WNBC-TV, New York, said the plane cleared the George Washington Bridge by 900 feet before landing on its belly in the water.
Pilots union officials said the pilot, identified by CNN as Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, reported two bird strikes to air traffic controllers, ABC said.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told a news conference the pilot did a "masterful" job of landing the plane.
"We think all got out safely," Bloomberg said. "I say we think because some were taken to New Jersey, some were picked up by New York Waterways boats, some were picked up by Circle Cruise Line, some were picked up by Coast Guard and PD (police department) and FDNY (Fire Department of New York) boats. … There's no reason to believe this wasn't something we should thank God for that everyone got out safely."
He said there was "absolutely no" indication of terrorism.
A team of National Transportation Safety Board investigators was scheduled to arrive Thursday evening.
Gov. David Paterson called the incident "a miracle on the Hudson."
The plane, which was nearly full, landed in the river near 57th Street near the restored aircraft carrier Intrepid. The plane remained afloat, enabling ferry boats that surrounded it to get everyone off, police said.
Rescued passengers told reporters the pilot calmly prepared them for the landing and once the plane was down, the crew herded them out onto the wings. Bloomberg said the pilot walked the length of the plane twice after everyone was off to make sure no one was left behind.
WNBC reported four people were taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, suffering from hypothermia, including a flight attendant who suffered a fracture, and hospital officials said they had been told to prepare for 10 more. Other survivors were taken elsewhere, some to hospitals in New Jersey. Temperatures hovered around 21 degrees and the water temperature was reported at 41 degrees at the time of the crash.
Bush: New terror 'gravest' threat
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush, in his farewell address Thursday night, warned that the "gravest threat" facing the nation is a possible future terror attack.
Bush leaves office next Tuesday when President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated. Bush addressed the nation Thursday from the East Room of the White House.
"While our nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack," Bush said. "Our enemies are patient and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve, and we must never let down our guard."
His eyes at times glistening, Bush said, "This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you" Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists struck New York and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 with hijacked airplanes.
The president said most Americans were able to return to normal life after the attacks, "but I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. And I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe."
Bush conceded that some of his security efforts have been controversial.
"There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions," he said. "But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil."
The president said there "are things I would do differently if given the chance."
"Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind," he said. "I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions."
Domestically, Bush said, "When challenges to our prosperity arose, we rose to meet them," citing the $700 billion financial sector bailout.
"All Americans are in this together," he said, "and with determination and hard work we will restore our economy to growth."
Bush said next week he will assume the title he is most proud of, "citizen of the United States of America."
Senate OKs bailout fund release
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate Thursday voted to authorize President-elect Barack Obama to spend $350 billion that remains in the financial rescue package.
The Senate voted 52-42 to reject a resolution intended to block release of the funds -- the second half of the $700 billion rescue plan authorized by Congress in 2008 to deal with a credit freeze. The vote came after Obama personally appealed to lawmakers, The Washington Post reported.
The Obama transition team said the funds are needed -- along with a spending package being developed by Obama and congressional leaders -- to help the economy and the financial markets recover.
The Senate vote Thursday means the funds will be available to the Obama administration about a week after Obama is inaugurated next week, the Post said.
House unveils $825 billion stimulus plan
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- House Democrats Thursday offered a two-year, $825 billion economic stimulus plan that channels more funds to new spending and less to tax cuts than proposed.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the House bill as a first step in what she said would be intense negotiations with the Senate and the administration of President-elect Barack Obama, The Washington Post reported.
The plan's price tag has just about tripled since the fall. Obama offered a $775 billion package earlier in January and Senate Democrats have predicted their stimulus proposal could reach $850 billion.
If an expected $70 billion alternative minimum tax patch is included in the final legislation, the finished product could top $900 billion and possible reach nearly $1 trillion, the Post said.
Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., both vowed to deliver a stimulus plan to Obama by Feb. 13.
The House bill includes about $550 billion in domestic spending and about $275 billion in business and individual tax relief. Writers dropped Obama's campaign proposal of a $3,000 tax credit for every new worker hired by U.S. companies, but kept his campaign promise of a payroll tax credit for individuals earning less than $75,000 and couples making less than $150,000.
The proposal also includes adjustments to the child tax credit and education and new home-buyer incentives, energy incentives, healthcare proposals and temporary increases in unemployment and welfare funding, among other things.
Obama plans to discuss the stimulus proposal Friday at a wind turbine manufacturer in Bedford Heights, Ohio.
