Brave Pilot and Passenger of Downed Cessna Swim to Shore in the Icy Hudson River

The Cessna that was able to make a controlled landing in the Hudson River on one of this Winter's final frigid evenings, just before 8pm (images from Orange County Fire & Rescue)

Both County Executive, Steve Neuhaus and Governor Kathy Hochul are calling it another "Miracle on the Hudson" after a Cessna that had taken flight on Long Island lost power and its pilot made a daring controlled landing in the Hudson River.

The pilot, who had apparently been able to send a distress call to Orange County Emergency Services as he or she and a passenger made an amazing landing in the icy River landing surrounded by ice chunks under which the plane was sinking, while the 2 brave souls swam to shore where a fleet of emergency vehicles were waiting. Both were brought for medical evaluation after which Neuhaus said they are expected to make a full recovery, and thanked the response teams.

The Town of Newburgh Response Team Reported, "This evening at approximately 2005 hours, our crews were dispatched to an Aircraft Accident with report of an aircraft down in the Hudson River. Our agency responded with 1 ALS Unit and 1 BLS Unit alongside EMS 2. With the assistance of local police, we were able to locate 2 patients out of the water who were later transported in stable condition."

Special thank you to New Windsor Emergency Medical Services & Orange County 911 for their assistance tonight!

Additionally, we’d like to thank all the police and fire units on the scene:

Orange County EMS 1

Town of Newburgh Police Department

New York State Police

Town of New Windsor Police

Middle Hope Fire Department

City of Newburgh Firefighters IAFF Local 589

Images of the Fire and Rescue crews that rushed to the Hudson River including the Town of Newburgh Emergency Vehicle that brought the pilot and passenger for a hospital evaluation.