India, Jan. 30 -- Hamaad Raza was waiting at Washington DC's Reagan National Airport airport for his wife when he saw a flurry of activity and rescue teams rushing towards the Potomac river. The American Airlines passenger jet, that his wife was on, collided with a military chopper as it was landing.

"My wife texted me that she was landing in 20 minutes," Raza told CBS News. "I am just praying someone is pulling her out of the river right now."

Track live updates here: Washington DC plane crash updates: At least 18 bodies pulled from river after jet-chopper collision, more deaths feared

Raza's fears echoed the sense of urgency felt by rescue teams who immediately launched multiple boats into the Potomac. First responders illuminated th...