On Wednesday night, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with an Army helicopter near Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport, causing both aircraft to crash into the Potomac River. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of all 67 people on board, marking the deadliest U.S. air disaster in over 20 years.
Following the devastating plane crash in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, a local priest went to the scene to offer support to the mourning families.
Father Frederick Edlefsen, the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Arlington, Virginia, spoke about his experience of being there for the families during that difficult night in an interview with Colm Flynn on EWTN News Nightly.
Located just a mile from his parish, the airport hit close to home for Fr. Edlefsen.
“I felt it was my responsibility. It was almost like an instinct—whether you call it the Holy Spirit’s guidance or a guardian angel,” he said. “Since the airport is within my parish’s area and we have many travellers from Reagan Airport, including airline staff who attend our Masses, I just knew I needed to be there.”
Father Edlefsen teamed up with a parishioner and Knight of Columbus who had experience in law enforcement.
Fr. Edlefsen stayed with the families, offering a listening ear and praying with them as they anxiously awaited updates on their loved ones involved in the crash.