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Flights canceled at ORF after passenger jet and Army helicopter collide near DC

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Several flights at the Norfolk International Airport (ORF) were canceled Thursday morning after an American Airlines flight and U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter collided mid-air near Reagan Washington National Airport.

Passenger jet with 64 aboard collides with Army helicopter while landing at Reagan Airport near DC

According to ORF's website, two departure flights to Washington D.C. have been canceled and two arrival flights to Washington D.C. have been canceled as a result of the crash. Officials with the Reagan Washington National Airport said they plan to reopen around 11 a.m.

In addition to the flight cancelations, ORF canceled their ribbon cutting for the return of its moving walkways, which was scheduled to take place Thursday morning.

Here locally, at Norfolk International Airport, one traveler spoke to 10 On Your Side. Ronnie Oliver traveling out of Suffolk said he had to pause when he saw the news.

"Well it was horrible, you couldn't help -- but your heart goes out to the families and everything," said Oliver. "You heard and of course I was traveling this morning, so you pay a little more attention to it than you normally do, it's not the way it should be, but that's how it is. It's horrible and I listened to a little bit of the clips this morning. And it sounded like its pretty complicated."

During a press briefing early Thursday morning, officials stated they do not expect any survivors after the crash. As of 8 a.m., 27 bodies have been recovered from the plane and one body from the helicopter.

President Donald Trump spoke at a new conference at 11 a.m. on the incident. Trump said that the investigation is underway and that the two aircraft should've never been at the same elevation.

During the conference, Trump began with a moment of silence for the victims. Shortly thereafter, he came up with a series of potential causes for the crash, including coming down on former President Joe Biden's policies, the air traffic controllers, the helicopter pilot and what he called "DEI hires."

The claim was focus point of many follow up questions, but wasn't backed up by hard evidence. Trump cited "common sense" as reasoning for his conclusion. The president assured the public that they should not be fearful of traveling.

See the full press conference below:

Senator Mark Warner spoke during the briefing, giving his condolences to the victims and thanks to first responders.

"For folks who don't live in the DMV, we are made up of a lot of jurisdictions," Warner said. "Reagan airport is in Virginia, across the river we have Maryland, and obviously the District. But as has been indicated by the chief, when tragedy happens, all those distinctions between the various jurisdictions and our federal partners, all disappear."

A portion of the briefing can be viewed below:

The plane, which departed from Kansas, was said to be carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. Three military members were onboard the helicopter, according to officials. The crash occurred just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

What to know about the collision between a passenger jet and Army helicopter near DC

Gov. Glenn Youngkin posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, late Wednesday night, saying that first responders from across northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland are working together to assist with the search and rescue efforts.

I have been briefed by our Emergency Management team and Virginia State Police about the tragic crash at Reagan National Airport tonight. Extensive resources are fully supporting the search and rescue efforts. First responders from across Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland mobilized quickly. I ask everyone to pray for the passengers, crews, their families, and brave first responders.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Rep. Bobby Scott also responded to the tragic collision, saying he is thankful for our first responders on the scene.

"I'm closely monitoring the situation at DCA that occurred this evening involving a collision between a passenger airplane and a military helicopter," Scott said. "I'm thankful for our first responders on the scene. My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in this horrible tragedy."

Sen. Louise Lucas and Rep. Jen Kiggans have also posted their condolences as well as gratitude to the first responders who were on the scene.

Multiple fatalities have been reported as a result of the collision, but it is currently unclear just how many victims there are as rescue efforts continued into early Thursday morning.

"Over the course of the night, and we hope to have more news as it develops, but for right now, it's a very difficult situation out there with the cold," Jack Potter, president of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said. "It's very dark, but there are numerous boats out there. There are dive teams out there."

In 1982, an Air Florida flight also crashed into the Potomac, ultimately killing 70 passengers and four crew members.

10 On Your Side's Andy Fox will be in DC and are expected to give updates on the incident throughout the day.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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City wants your input on the new Maury High School designs

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) โ€” City leaders are looking for input on the plans to build an all new Maury High School to replace its current, historic structure that was built more than 100 years ago โ€” in 1911.

A wide rendering provided by Norfolk Public Schools shows the basics of their master plan. They want to preserve the historic building and repurpose it for something else, with a new four-story school to be built to its north. Things like a new baseball field and tennis court will be set up on the eastern end.

Previously: Norfolk City Council OKs design work for new Maury High

School leaders are highlighting features such as outdoor learning spaces, new athletic facilities and a constructed wetland for flood resistance. The city considers input from Norfolk residents to be an important part of the process.

"The city wants to hear from the residents and the students who are going to be using the school," said Kelly Straub with the city of Norfolk. "So we want to make sure that we're hitting their needs and providing for them."

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Thursday inside the Maury High School cafeteria.

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Norfolk parents charged in death of 9-day-old daughter to face grand jury

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) โ€” The two parents accused in the death of their 9-day-old daughter had their charges certified to a grand jury on Wednesday.

NPD: 9-day-old infant death a homicide, parents charged

Hilary D. Johnson and Z'ibreyea S. Parker were charged with second-degree murder and child abuse in May 2024 in connection with the death of their infant, Iโ€™ijayah Johnson. Police said the investigation began at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters with a child protection call.

Court documents revealed that when the infant was brought to the hospital, she was cold to the touch and showed signs of abuse, including lacerations, burns to the feet, bruises and signs of shaken baby syndrome. Iโ€™ijayah was later pronounced dead by medical staff.ย 

Court documents reveal extent of injuries to murdered 9-day-old

During Wednesdayโ€™s court hearing, a CHKD nurse testified that Johnson and Parker walked into the hospital with a covered stroller. The pair claimed the infant had only been unresponsive for โ€œa few hours.โ€ The nurse also said the couple was acting weird and seemed as if they were not taking the situation seriously.

She also testified that the parents initially could not get the date of birth and spelling of their babyโ€™s name correct.

โ€˜I told them I fear for her lifeโ€™: Grandfather of murdered infant says he warned hospital staff

Theย detective in the case told the courtย that the parents were living in a tent near Brambleton Avenue and Interstate 264 when the child was born. ย 

He recounted that Johnson told him, when interviewed, that he had gotten home from work and taken the baby out for a walk in the stroller. She was unsecured, and it overturned, sending her tumbling.ย That, according to the couple, was how she got hurt.

The parents said they treated the infantโ€™s wounds with witch hazel, peroxide and gauze.ย 

The following day, on May 4, after noting that the infant was unresponsive, the couple took Iโ€™ijayah to CHKD via the light rail.

Zโ€™ibreyeaโ€™s attorney tried to get her murder charged dismissed, saying that she was not present for the stroller incident. Ultimately, however, all of the charges were certified.ย ย 

Hilary and Zโ€™ibreyeaโ€™s next court appearance will be in Circuit Court. The date has yet to be determined.ย ย 

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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