Six individuals, including three children, tragically lost their lives following a helicopter sightseeing crash into the Hudson River in New York yesterday, prompting a significant water rescue operation, according to authorities.
The incident resulted in the fatalities of everyone aboard the aircraft: the pilot and a family visiting from Spain.
Initially, two of the victims were transported to a hospital but later succumbed to their injuries.
While officials have yet to disclose the names of the victims, multiple U.S. media outlets have reported that one of them was Agustin Escobar, a Spanish executive associated with the global technology firm Siemens.
He stated: The news that has reached us regarding the helicopter crash in the Hudson River is incredibly heartbreaking.
“Five Spaniards from the same family, including three children, along with the pilot have tragically lost their lives. It is an unimaginable catastrophe. My heart goes out to the families mourning their loved ones during this sorrowful time.”
Footage of the crash captured what seemed to be a large object plummeting into the river, quickly followed by what appeared to be a helicopter blade.
In the aftermath, emergency and police vessels were observed encircling a section of the river where the helicopter was submerged, with only what looked like the aircraft’s landing gear above the surface of the water.
The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, took off at around 3 PM local time (8 PM Irish time) from a downtown helicopter pad and flew north over the Hudson River, as stated by New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Rescue divers were seen working in the water at the crash site.
It turned south upon reaching the George Washington Bridge and crashed minutes thereafter, landing upside down and submerging near Lower Manhattan at approximately 3:15 PM, just off Hoboken, New Jersey, Ms. Tisch added.
Divers assisted in recovering the victims from the water. Four were declared dead at the scene, while two others were transported to local hospitals, where they were subsequently pronounced dead as well.
Police and firefighters conducted operations at the site following the helicopter crash into the Hudson River.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on social media, labeling the crash as “terrible.”
“The footage of the accident is appalling. God bless the families and friends of the victims,” he posted on Truth Social.
NBC4 reported that its helicopter was unable to take off due to adverse weather conditions, with New York experiencing gusty winds under heavy cloud cover yesterday.
A witness recounted seeing the helicopter’s rotor blade “shatter in the sky.”
“After it shattered, we observed the helicopter spiral downwards… then it crashed into the water just like that,” said fashion designer Belle Angel.
The airspace surrounding Manhattan is frequently filled with helicopters offering tourists aerial views of the city, with at least two dozen providers listed on the tour website Viator.
Many of these operators also provide helicopter shuttle services to nearby airports.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that the tour helicopter was operating in a Special Flight Rules Area established in New York, meaning that air traffic control services were unavailable at the time of the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the incident, with the NTSB taking the lead.
Mr. Duffy mentioned that the FAA initiated a Safety Review Team last evening. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and a team from the board are expected to arrive in New York soon, with plans for a press briefing later today.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:15 PM local time yesterday.
New York City has a history of helicopter-related accidents.
In 2018, a helicopter crash into the East River claimed the lives of five passengers, while the pilot survived.
That helicopter was on a charter flight featuring an open door, allowing passengers to photograph the skyline.
A spokesperson for the New York Police stated that police boats assisted in the rescue efforts yesterday.
Helicopter safety has been a significant topic in the U.S. Congress following a tragic accident on January 29, which resulted in 67 fatalities when an American Airlines regional jet collided with an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.
Since then, the FAA has imposed permanent restrictions on helicopter traffic near that airport and is currently reviewing helicopter operations near other major airports.
