Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Worst Day
The Worst Day: A Plane Crash, A Train Wreck, and Remarkable Acts of Heroism in Washington, DC | Bruce Goldfarb
1 post | 1 read | 2 to read
More than 40 years before a Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air with American Airlines Flight 5342 over the Potomac River, a desperate race against time took place nearby in overwhelming conditions.
Washington, DC, was in the grips of a historic snowstorm on January 13, 1982 that gridlocked the city when Air Florida 90 crashes into a bridge jammed with traffic and plunges into the iced-over Potomac River.
6 people survive the crash, clinging to wreckage in the icy river as a Park Police helicopter risks a daring rescue in nearly whiteout conditions. As the rescue is taking place, DC’s Metro system suffers its first fatal derailment nearby, with dozens injured.
In this page-turning drama, journalist and former firefighter/EMT Bruce Goldfarb recreates the harrowing struggles for survival and acts of incredible courage. Told through the eyes of survivors, firefighters, police, and bystanders, many of whom have never before shared their stories, Goldfarb explores the day’s impact on these participants as well as on the resulting aviation and transit safety measures that have protected us over the decades.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
OutsmartYourShelf
post image
Pickpick

On 13th Jan 1982 Washington, DC, was already in the midst of a snowstorm that was gridlocking the city when two devastating accidents occur. First, flight Air Florida 90 hits a road bridge jammed with traffic before crashing into the iced-over Potomac River. The few survivors are at high risk in the freezing waters as first responders, including a Park Police helicopter, try to rescue them in the worsening weather conditions. (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf Then a packed DC Metro car derails & the injured are left in darkness with no idea what has happened.

I can't believe that I have never heard of these incidents before. Whilst reading I had to keep reminding myself that this was real life & not a film as events read like they could have been scripted - not one but two major accidents in the same city on the same day.
5d
OutsmartYourShelf It also brings home just how inadequate & uncoordinated rescue plans were back then, & I was glad to see the book also covered the subsequent updating of disaster procedures & the changes to safety protocols which are in use today.

It was well-researched & written in a factual style whilst showing sensitivity to those involved. If I have a criticism, it's that the Metro crash wasn't covered in as much detail as the plane crash,
5d
OutsmartYourShelf & so it felt a bit uneven in that respect. All in all though it was an informative read & I've added more of the author's books to my TBR list. 4🌟

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, Steerforth & Pushkin, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7893181669
Read 5th - 8th Dec 2025

#ReadAway2025 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
5d
DieAReader ♥️Excellent!! 5d
23 likes2 stack adds4 comments