In a tragic incident, a helicopter carrying a family of tourists crashed into the Hudson River in New York, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including three children. The victims were a family of five from Spain, with the sixth casualty being the pilot, as confirmed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a press briefing on Thursday.
Mayor Adams expressed his condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families.” In a separate statement, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch indicated that the identities of the deceased will remain undisclosed until their relatives have been informed. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Details of the crash and rescue efforts
Footage capturing the incident reveals the helicopter descending uncontrollably before plunging into the river. According to officials, the aircraft lost control shortly after making a turn near the George Washington Bridge while heading along the New Jersey shoreline. The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopters and had departed from Downtown Skyport in Manhattan at approximately 2:59 PM local time.
The first reports of the crash were received around 3:17 PM EDT, prompting an immediate launch of rescue boats, as stated by New York Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker. “Swimmers were in the water shortly after the call,” he noted. Upon reaching the crash site, rescue teams conducted extensive searches for any survivors and initiated immediate life-saving measures; however, these efforts proved futile. Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were declared dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital.
Ongoing investigation and community reactions
The accident occurred in a fashionable area along Manhattan’s west side, known for its vibrant shops and restaurants, and is notably close to the main campus of New York University.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that the investigation into the crash of the Bell 206 helicopter will be spearheaded by the National Transportation Safety Board. In a statement on social media, President Trump referred to the incident as “terrible,” promising that further details would be forthcoming. “God bless the families and friends of the victims,” he added.
The Bell 206 helicopter is frequently utilized by sightseeing companies, news stations, and law enforcement agencies. Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter Inc., expressed his devastation over the tragedy, saying, “I’m a father, a grandfather, and my wife hasn’t stopped crying since this afternoon.” When questioned about the helicopter’s maintenance, Roth stated, “It’s my director of maintenance who deals with that.”
Eyewitness accounts from individuals in Jersey City describe the moments leading up to the crash. One resident, Jenn Lynk, recounted seeing people rush towards the water after witnessing parts of the helicopter fall. “I looked outside my window. I saw a few people running towards the water, and some people were acting pretty normal. So I was like oh, it might not be anything. Then I started to hear all the sirens come outside,” she remarked. Another resident, Ipsitaa Banigrhi, noted that the crash produced a sound reminiscent of thunder, adding, “I saw, like, black particles flying. Again, I thought maybe it’s just like, dust, or birds, and then we heard all the emergency vehicles and sirens go by, and I think that’s when it was like, OK, what’s happening.”
This incident marks another heartbreaking chapter in New York City’s history of tourist helicopter accidents. In 2018, a helicopter crash in the East River resulted in the drowning of all five passengers, with only the pilot surviving. Additionally, a 2009 collision between a helicopter carrying Italian tourists and a private plane over the Hudson River claimed nine lives.