Expressing Condolences, Fears on Twitter

As transportation officials investigate the cause of the plane crash near Buffalo, people in the area –- and around the world — are using Twitter to express their condolences, fears and reassurances.

Since the first reports early this morning of Continental Express flight 3407’s fatal crash, “Buffalo” has become the fourth-most tweeted term on Twitter, according to trend-monitoring Web site TweetStats.com.

Messages on Twitter have poured in from Buffalo area residents, emergency response organizations such as the Red Cross and concerned people all across the world.

“Flight from Newark crashed into house in Buffalo. Terrifying. Planning to be flying in <1 month. Thoughts and prayers to those involved,” nickdavidson from Buffalo posted soon after the crash.

Amanda122104 from Buffalo also used the service to express her concerns for those affected by the crash.

"Plane crash happened about 20 minutes from where I live…very scary…praying for the families affected by the crash," she wrote.

Even people closely impacted by the crash reached out to others with Twitter.

“Thinking about the victims of the plane crash in Buffalo (my hometown). The plane hit my dad’s best friend’s home…,” jennski from San Francisco wrote.

The Red Cross also used the micro-blogging service to let Buffalo residents know that they were on the scene supporting families and first responders.

People also used the service to express their own fears of flying.

“My family is flying from Newark to North Carolina on a Continental flight tomorrow…the coincidence frightens me,” a tweeter named theminitank posted.

And, given that this accident comes so soon after the recent US Airways crash in the Hudson River, many Tweeters, like Ben Cotton of Kernersville, N.C., are asking a question that’s likely on many minds.

“What’s up with all the plane crashes lately?”

To read more live tweets about the crash, click here.

By Ki Mae Heussner