Cessna Crashes in Hudson River Near Newburgh; Two Safe

A small single-engine Cessna 172 crashed into the frigid waters of the Hudson River near Newburgh, New York, on Monday night during an attempted emergency landing, but the pilot and a passenger escaped the wreckage and swam safely to shore, authorities reported.

The incident occurred shortly after the plane took off from Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, around 8 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft, carrying two people, ended up in the river about 62 miles north of Manhattan. Emergency responders from the Middle Hope Fire Department and other agencies were dispatched to the area following reports of the crash. Initially unable to locate the plane amid the darkness and cold conditions, crews spotted it within minutes off the shore of Newburgh.

The occupants freed themselves from the submerged aircraft and made their way through the icy water to safety. Newburgh Emergency Medical Services evaluated them on site before transporting both to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries, the nature of which was not disclosed. Officials have not released the names of the pilot or passenger.

The cause of the emergency landing remains...