Hudson rescuers defied icy waters

Rescuers spoke today of their dramatic battle to save 155 people from the near-freezing waters of New York after a plane crashed into the Hudson River.

Captain Vince Lombardi told how crew and commuters pulled 56 people onto his commercial ferry and gave up their own coats in a bid to keep them warm

Meanwhile NYPD scuba divers recalled "frantic" passengers on the point of hypothermia who needed to be dragged into the safety of rescue vessels.

Juan Rosario, who captained one of New York Waterway ferries that traverse the Hudson River, described his reaction as he watched the plane hit the water.

He said: "When I saw it I was in shock. But immediately we just sprang into action.

"I saw it going down slowly, almost like it was descending nicely. There was a big splash."...[TheIndependant]