A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday, killing all six people onboard, including three children. Authorities say the pilot and a Spanish family did not survive.
The crash triggered a large-scale water rescue operation, but unfortunately, none of the victims survived.
“At this time, all six victims have been removed from the water. And sadly, all six victims have been pronounced deceased,” said Mayor Eric Adams during a briefing.
Officials have not released the names of the victims, but media reports identified one of them as Agustin Escobar, a Spanish executive with global technology company Siemens.
Rescue boats quickly surrounded the impact site, where the helicopter’s landing skids were seen protruding from the water near a tunnel vent.
Possible Cause of the Crash
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying scene as the helicopter spiraled down before hitting the water.
“It appeared like the helicopter’s rotor blade shattered in the sky,” said fashion designer Belle Angel.
“And after it shattered, then we saw the helicopter just spiral… And then it just crashed into the water just like that.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a Bell 206 helicopter and confirmed that investigations would be carried out in partnership with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Weather and Aviation Safety
New York’s weather conditions were reported to be gusty with thick cloud cover at the time of the crash. The NBC4 channel noted that its own helicopter was unable to take off due to poor visibility.
The Hudson River, a bustling waterway, has witnessed past aviation incidents. In 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 successfully landed in the river, earning the nickname “Miracle on the Hudson”. All 155 passengers on board survived.
The river reaches depths of up to 60 meters (200 feet), and first responders deployed flotation devices near the wreckage as recovery efforts unfolded.
Authorities Respond to the Disaster
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed details of the emergency response efforts.
“NYPD divers pulled four people from the crash site, and FDNY divers recovered an additional two. Immediate lifesaving measures were undertaken on the vessels at the scene, as well as the adjoining pier,” she explained.
The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter, a private aviation company that lists the Bell 206 among its fleet. Officials have yet to determine whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or adverse weather contributed to the crash.
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