Regional press journalist Matt Holmes has told how he became caught up the aftermath of a New York plane crash which was first thought to be terrorism.

Matt, assistant editor at The Citizen in Gloucester, arrived in New York just four hours before a light aircraft struck the Belaire tower in Manhattan, killing New York Yankees baseball player Cory Lidle and his flying instructor.

He heard the news while in a taxi – ironically having just visited the site of the World Trade Centre 9/11 terrorist strikes.

Matt said: “Our taxi driver suddenly turned the radio up and the live news coverage started. Eye witnesses described the scene as being ‘eerily quiet’ as the emergency services rushed to the scene.

“Within 30 minutes the FBI had already discounted a terror attack. It appeared there had been something wrong with the aircraft.

“As we sped across town a series of emergency vehicles cut a swathe through the mad commuter traffic of New York. Horns were blaring and sirens wailing.

“People stopped and watched the observational helicopter as it hovered above the smoke plumes which turned from black to white.”

The plane struck the 50-storey tower at around 2.35pm US time, setting fire to several floors.

The plane had taken off from New Jersey and Lidle and instructor Tyler Stanger were on a route over the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building.

Matt has been staying on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, just a short drive from the Upper East Side, where the crash happened.

He said: “There was a sad resignation in the faces of the people. Even though it was not another 9/11 it brought back all the memories.

“Having just seen the names on the memorial of those who perished on 9/11, this city does not need another disaster – accidental or terror driven.” Do you have a story about the regional press?
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