Authorities have reported that six people, including three children, were killed when a helicopter carrying a family of Spanish tourists crashed into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday.
The helicopter had three adults and three children onboard, with five individuals from Spain and one pilot, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our hearts go out to the families,” he stated during a press briefing.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the identities of the victims will not be released until their families are notified. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Social media footage appears to show the helicopter descending upside down before impacting the water.
Officials indicated that the aircraft lost control shortly after turning at the George Washington Bridge to follow the New Jersey shoreline. Emergency calls regarding the crash were received around 3:17 PM EDT (20:17 GMT), prompting immediate dispatch of rescue boats, as stated by New York’s Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker.
“Swimmers were in the water shortly after the call,” he said.
Upon arriving at the crash site, rescuers began searching the water for victims or survivors and initiated “immediate life-saving measures,” but efforts proved unsuccessful. Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two were confirmed dead at a local hospital.
The crash occurred near the West Side of Manhattan, close to the trendy West Village neighborhood, known for its shops and dining options, and nearby the main campus of New York University. A BBC journalist at the World Trade Center during the incident reported approximately a dozen boats surrounding the crash site.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash of the Bell 206, a two-bladed helicopter frequently used by sightseeing companies, television stations, and police departments.
This incident marks one of the deadliest helicopter crashes in New York City since 2018, when a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the East River, resulting in the drowning of all five passengers, with only the pilot surviving. In 2009, a collision between a helicopter carrying Italian tourists and a private plane over the Hudson River resulted in the deaths of nine people.
Credit: BBC
