Thoughts of Haiti loom over 'Miracle on Hudson' celebration
Passengers in an inflatable raft prepare to move away from an Airbus 320 US Airways aircraft that has gone down in the Hudson River in New York. (Jan. 15, 2009) Credit: AP
The tragic earthquake in Haiti cast a shadow Friday over the first in a series of events marking the one-year anniversary of the Miracle on the Hudson.
During an event Friday morning sponsored by the American Red Cross of Greater New York, the crew of US Airways flight 1549, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David A. Paterson all mentioned the situation in Haiti during remarks at a breakfast in midtown.
>> PHOTOS: Relive the Hudson landing and Sully's rise to fame
>> MORE: Miracle on the Hudson, one year later
Flight 1549 First Officer Jeffrey Skiles took the opportunity to donate a check for $5,000 to the Red Cross, money he hopes goes toward the agency's relief effort in Haiti.
Paterson said that Jan. 15, 2009 - the day the Airbus A-320 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River after losing power in both engines when it hit birds over the Bronx - was his happiest day as governor.
"We're praying for another miracle in Haiti," Paterson said.
Five crew members and 150 passengers survived the landing in icy waters and freezing temperatures. They were rescued by ferry boats and first responders from New York City and New Jersey.
Passengers organized the breakfast to say thank you to the Red Cross, which provided 700 blankets and served 3,500 hot meals on the day of the rescue and several days afterward.
Capt. Chesley Sullenberger plans to lead his crew as they join passengers Friday afternoon aboard ferry boats to be on the river at 3:31 p.m., the same time the plane splashed down into the Hudson a year ago.
"This is one of those days in New York when we should have a smile on our faces, but we realize there are other people in need," Bloomberg said, alluding to the earthquake in Haiti.
Sullenberger and members of the crew also posed for photographs with passengers, Red Cross officials and executives from Bank of America, which had 20 employees on the flight.
>> PHOTOS: Relive the Hudson landing and Sully's rise to fame
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
