Arlington County chair urges public to call 911, avoid touching recovery items after Reagan National crash

Tax Carantones, chair of the Arlington County Board, offered condolences and emergency guidance after the crash at Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people.

Carantones said Arlington County first responders and staff from multiple county departments are assisting regional recovery operations and urged residents to preserve potential evidence and to use official channels for information and support.

"What is top of our minds right now are the families of the 67 people who lost their lives," Carantones said. He asked anyone who believes they have information related to recovery efforts in the Potomac or Anacostia Rivers or on the shore to call 911 immediately and to "please do not touch or remove anything you may find." He said those requests are meant "to preserve the dignity of the victims and respect the impacted families."

Carantones also said county staff are mobilized to assist the regional response. He asked that people with loved ones they believe were aboard Flight 5342 contact American Airlines at (800) 679-8215. He said crisis services are available through the Arlington County Department of Human Services and advised residents to visit arlingtonva.us and search "crisis services."

The chair framed the appeals as steps to support recovery operations and the grieving families while formal investigations proceed. He closed by urging residents to take care of themselves and each other in the wake of the crash.

Arlington County did not announce additional operational details or a schedule of next updates during the remarks.