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A heartbreaking helicopter crash into New York’s Hudson River has taken the lives of six people, including a Spanish family of five and their pilot. The incident has sent shockwaves through the city as investigations begin into what caused the devastating accident.
A sightseeing helicopter carrying six individuals, including three children, tragically crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing everyone on board. Authorities confirmed that the victims included a family of five from Spain and the American pilot.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch added that the victims’ identities would not be made public until relatives had been informed.
Dramatic video footage captured the moment the helicopter flipped upside down mid-air before plummeting into the river. The crash occurred shortly after the aircraft made a turn at the George Washington Bridge to follow the New Jersey shoreline.
Operated by New York Helicopters, the Bell 206 helicopter had departed from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 PM local time. Around 3:17 PM, emergency services received the first reports of the crash, prompting an immediate response.
New York Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said rescue swimmers were in the water within minutes of the alert. Despite swift efforts, four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital.
The accident took place near Manhattan’s west side, close to the trendy Hudson Yards and New York University’s main campus. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would lead the investigation into the crash.
President Donald Trump reacted to the tragedy on his Truth Social platform, calling it “terrible” and promising further updates. “God bless the families and friends of the victims,” he wrote.
The Bell 206 helicopter model, widely used for tourism, news, and law enforcement, is under scrutiny as investigators look into the cause of the crash. Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter Inc, said he was “devastated,” adding that his wife had been in tears since the incident. “I’m a father, a grandfather. This is just heartbreaking,” he told CNN. Roth deferred questions about the helicopter’s maintenance to his director of maintenance.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes. Jenn Lynk of Jersey City said she initially thought nothing was wrong until sirens filled the air. Another resident, Ipsitaa Banigrhi, compared the crash sound to thunder and said she saw black particles in the air, initially mistaking them for dust or birds.
This is not the first helicopter-related tragedy in New York. In 2018, a tourist helicopter crash in the East River led to the drowning deaths of five passengers. And in 2009, a collision between a tourist helicopter and a private plane over the Hudson claimed nine lives.
As authorities continue their investigation, New Yorkers and visitors alike mourn the loss of lives in what was meant to be a scenic flight over one of the city’s most iconic rivers.
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