New York, April 11: Six people, including three children, were killed when a sightseeing helicopter plunged into New York’s Hudson River on Thursday, triggering a large-scale water rescue operation. Officials confirmed that the victims included the pilot and a tourist family from Spain.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams called it a “heartbreaking and tragic crash” and confirmed that all six bodies were recovered from the river. Two victims who were initially hospitalized also succumbed to their injuries.
The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter, had taken off from the downtown Skyport around 3 PM. The aircraft reportedly lost control near the George Washington Bridge while returning along Manhattan’s shoreline and crashed near a Hoboken pier.
Divers from the NYPD and FDNY pulled all six victims from the water. Witnesses claimed a rotor blade detached mid-air, and videos on social media showed debris falling before the chopper hit the water.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. Weather conditions were gusty with poor visibility, possibly contributing to the incident.
Authorities said the helicopter’s landing skids were visible above water, and flotation devices appeared to be deployed. The Hudson River, known for its strong currents and depth up to 200 feet, has been the site of past aviation incidents, including the famed “Miracle on the Hudson” in 2009.
Officials called for stricter regulation of helicopter traffic in New York, with Brooklyn Borough President Mark Levine noting nearly 30 such crashes since 1980.