LaGuardia Plane Crash: Eight People Injured

Eight people have been injured after a plane's landing gear collapsed as it touched down at a New York airport.

The accident left the Boeing 737 – operated by Southwest Airlines – with its nose resting against the runway at LaGuardia.

The accident forced the temporary closure of the airport, which mostly handles flights to and from other US cities.

Some 150 people were on board at the time.

The airline confirmed that emergency services had helped with the evacuation of the passengers and crew of flight 345 from Nashville.

"Eyewitness reports indicate the aircraft's nose gear collapsed upon landing," it said in a statement.

"Initial reports indicate local responders are caring for five customers and three flight attendants who have reported injuries at this time.

"Southwest is cooperating with local authorities, and the (US aviation safety body) NTSB has been notified."

Television images showed the plane with its nose angled down to the ground and its evacuation slides out. The fuselage was surrounded by emergency vehicles.

Passengers on board the plane saw sparks flying as the nose scraped along the runway, according to accounts given to waiting relatives and friends.

Planes scheduled to fly to LaGuardia were held at their origin airports, while those already en route were diverted to New York's other hubs, Newark and John F Kennedy, contributing to long delays.

All take-offs were suspended for more than two hours after the accident.