Six people have died in a tourist helicopter crash near New York City.
The New York City Fire Department told NBC News April 10 they received a call of a helicopter in the Hudson River at around 3:15 p.m. local time. Three adults and three children—including a pilot and a family visiting from Spain—were on board the Bell 206 aircraft and all six have been removed from the water and pronounced dead, Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference.
"We're praying for the families," he said, expressing "gratitude to the rescuers and the courage that was displayed and their dedication."
A police official said at the press conference that four victims were pronounced dead on the scene, while two more were transported to local hospitals, where both succumbed to their injuries.
The aircraft was operated by a tour company and took off from a downtown Manhattan heliport, the official said, adding that the helicopter later lost control and hit the water just a few feet off the coast of Hoboken, New Jersey. Two senior law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the matter told NBC News that the helicopter broke apart in mid-air.
The FAA said in a statement that it’s investigating the incident along with the National Transportation Safety Board.
Videos shared on social media showed the helicopter upside down in the river. Avi Rakesh, who posted footage from the crash site on X, said he saw the helicopter going south toward New Jersey when "the chopper blade flew off."
"I don't know what happened to the tail, but it just straight up dropped," Rakesh told NBC News. "It dropped feet away from Holland Tunnel."
Amid the tragedy, the New York Police Department noted in an X message, "Due to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas."
A helicopter had also crashed into the Hudson River in 2019, shortly after taking off from New York City. The pilot was later treated for minor injuries to his hand, NBC News reported.
In 2009, a small plane collided with a sightseeing helicopter over the Hudson River, killing nine people aboard the two aircraft.
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