2:30pm – Unverified X user, “@thamestweets” reported an alleged US Airways crash at 2:30 pm today, on the Thames near the Rainham Marshes area.
2:40pm – Just confirmed by the London Fire Service, units from Kent and Essex provide support to the plane crash. Thames river police and the RNLI on the way to the scene.
2:50pm – London City Airport confirms that flight number US132 had taken off from London City Airport and was en route to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol when radar contact was lost at 2:31pm shortly after. The pilot had allegedly reported an engine failure with no power to return to LCY and had plans to conduct emergency landing in water.
3:00pm – First update on passengers of the flight, being assisted by Essex Police officers onto wings and into life rafts at front doors. Aircraft is 100 metres offshore at Purfleet RSPB Reserve.
3:10pm – Unverified X user under the name of Nadine Johnson, allegedly claiming herself as a survivor of the plane crash, publishing an image of the scene. This is still not confirmed to be true.
3:20pm – US Airways staff report that 42 passengers and all 6 crew members have been accounted for. No reported deaths however 2 passengers are being treated for minor injuries. First passengers have been brought to shore. on life rafts towed by RNLI whilst Essex ambulance crew continues to carry medical checks.
3:30pm – Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre take to X to share an update on the passengers, stating their relief at the survival of everyone aboard the flight. They also shared an image of all passengers being attended to by the staff at the centre.
3:35pm – Most recent update from the Essex Police sharing the unfortunate state of one of the passengers, suffering from a heart attack and being attended to at Queens Hospital in Romford. All other passengers and crew have been evacuated and are ashore with arrangements being made to get them back home or back to London City Airport to continue their journeys.
4:00pm – British Transport Police reports that the flight was disabled after a collision with 2 drones 1,500 metres east of London City Airport. Drone debris found in engines. Work is underway to repair the aircraft.