NYC honors "Miracle on the Hudson" first responders, Capt. "Sully" Sullenberger 15 years after historic water landing
NEW YORK -- Fifteen years after the "Miracle on the Hudson," passengers who were on U.S. Airways Flight 1549 and first responders who assisted when the plane landed in the Hudson River, gathered at the New York Waterway Ferry Terminal at Pier 79.
Denise Lockie was in seat 2C.
"Our slide raft didn't deploy properly. Therefore it was upside down, but we had it underneath us," she said.
Dave Sanderson was in seat 15A.
"There was no room on the wing or the boat for me," he said.
But ferries arrived quickly.
"I was inside the plane waist-deep in 36-degree water for about seven minutes until the plane shook," Sanderson said.
Sanderson thought the plane was going to sink and swam 15 yards to a ferry. In the process, he got jet fuel in his eyes.
"They had to clean the jet fuel out later when I got back," he said.
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was hailed a hero for his quick thinking, safely landing the plane on the river with only seconds to react and saving everyone onboard.
"The crew did a fabulous job that day, and I will be forever thankful," said Sanderson. "One of the things that I really think came out of that situation, for me, was how 155 people who didn't know each other or care about each other come together and work as a team. Then the first responders come in as a team. So it truly, truly was a miracle."
Sanderson and Lockie were grateful to the first responders, ferry captains, hospital staff, fire and law enforcement from both sides of the river, and the Red Cross.
Federal investigators call it the most successful emergency water landing in history.
"I think it was that we proved when we work together, work hard, there's little we cannot accomplish," Sullenberger said. "This group of people showed courage and competence in a very challenging situation."
Weehawken EMS Captain Giovanni Ahmad said the rescue effort could have been chaotic, were it not fore the regional post-9/11 planning and drilling a month before.
"For rescue of a capsized ferry, ship, maritime emergency," said Ahmad, "this is the same as a ferry, it's just an airplane. So we're gonna treat it the same way and we executed 98% of that plan."
Sullenberger and his then-co-pilot Jeff Skiles were reunited with some of the passengers last week at the Paley Center for Media in Midtown.
"That was my first trip out of training on the airplane, I just qualified the Friday before on an Airbus 320 -- a new airplane for me, and this happened right away," said Skiles.
Lockie, who wears a necklace of charms related to that day around her neck, hopes first responders can help her one more time.
For 15 years, she's been trying to piece together the ferry ride to safety. Whether due to shock or stress, she can't remember it.
"I just have that blank for about however long it takes to get from the middle of the Hudson to New Jersey," she said.
Those who were on board that day said they will be forever bonded.
