"On Wednesday, January 13, 1982, a jet plane crashed into a bridge in Washington, D.C. Seventy nine passengers and crew were plunged into the frozen Potomac River. Faced with this overwhelming tragedy, ordinary human beings reacted heroically, risking their own lives in order to save others. This film is dedicated to that selfless part of the human spirit-- which exists in all of us."

Additionally, 4 motorists on the bridge were killed. From the flight, 5 survived. Bystanders Lenny Skutnik and Roger Olian dove into the icy waters in an attempt to rescue survivors before rescue crews and equipment could arrive.