A tourist helicopter has crashed into the Hudson River in New York City, resulting in the tragic deaths of all six individuals onboard, including three children, according to New York Mayor Eric Adams.
The victims reportedly included a family from Spain, comprising the pilot and five passengers, as stated by Mr. Adams during a press conference.
The helicopter, part of a New York Helicopters tour, took off at 2:59 PM but lost control shortly after, striking the water upside down near Lower Manhattan around 3:15 PM and becoming submerged, officials reported.
Onboard were the pilot, two other adults, and three children, as revealed by an official to the media.
Divers from the New York City Police and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) assisted in recovering the victims from the water. Four individuals were declared dead at the scene, while two others were transported to nearby hospitals, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Officials confirmed that the helicopter crashed into the water in an inverted position.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the helicopter as a Bell 206. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead.
A spokesperson for the New York City Police indicated that police boats had been involved in the rescue operations on the Hudson River.
The incident occurred in the river off the Tribeca neighborhood, and New York police advised residents to anticipate emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the vicinity.
