A tragic helicopter crash in New York’s Hudson River has claimed the lives of six people, including three children. The victims were a family of five visiting from Spain and the pilot, who was operating the helicopter. All six individuals were on board when the aircraft went down on Thursday afternoon.
Authorities stated that the helicopter lost control shortly after making a turn near the George Washington Bridge to follow the New Jersey shoreline. Eyewitness footage captured the moment the aircraft flipped upside down before crashing into the water. The incident unfolded in the mid-afternoon and emergency services were alerted within minutes.
The helicopter, identified as a Bell 206 a model commonly used for sightseeing tours, news coverage, and police operations had taken off from the Downtown Skyport in Manhattan at 2:59 PM local time. The first emergency calls were received at 3:17 PM, and response teams, including rescue boats and divers, were deployed immediately.
Rescue swimmers were in the water shortly after the incident was reported, conducting a frantic search for survivors. Despite their swift efforts and attempts at life-saving procedures, four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining two were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
The part of the Hudson River where the crash occurred is adjacent to Manhattan’s west side—a vibrant area known for shopping, dining, and proximity to New York University’s main campus. It is a popular route for helicopters offering aerial tours of the city.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration is collaborating with the National Transportation Safety Board to determine what led to the incident. While some eyewitnesses reported seeing parts of the helicopter fall from the sky, others described the crash as sounding like a thunderclap, followed by the sight of black particles in the air. Initial reports suggest a sudden mechanical failure or loss of control, but officials have yet to confirm the exact reason.
The CEO of the company operating the helicopter expressed deep sorrow following the incident, noting the emotional toll the tragedy has had on both his staff and his family. While he declined to comment on the maintenance history of the aircraft directly, he indicated that a designated director oversees all maintenance operations.
Locals near the crash site recounted scenes of confusion and distress. Some initially mistook the noise and commotion for routine city activity until the growing number of emergency vehicles indicated the seriousness of the event. Onlookers gathered along the riverbanks as emergency crews worked to recover the victims and secure the area.
This is not the first time a sightseeing helicopter has crashed in New York. In 2018, a helicopter went down in the East River, resulting in the deaths of five passengers. Another deadly crash occurred in 2009, when a tourist helicopter collided with a private plane over the Hudson River, killing nine people.
As the investigation continues, city officials extended their condolences to the grieving families and pledged full cooperation with federal investigators to uncover the cause of the crash and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
