Daijiworld Media Network- New York
New York, Apr 11: In a heartbreaking incident that sent shockwaves across the United States, six people — including three children from a Spanish family — lost their lives after a tourist helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday afternoon.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, all passengers on board the ill-fated helicopter, including the pilot, perished in the accident. Among the deceased is believed to be Agustin Escobar, an executive at the German technology conglomerate Siemens, as reported by The New York Times, citing unnamed law enforcement officials. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the identities of the victims. Siemens has also not issued a statement as of yet.
The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, took off around 3 pm ET from a heliport in downtown Manhattan and proceeded north along the Hudson River. The flight, however, ended in disaster minutes later near the George Washington Bridge. The aircraft reportedly lost control, flipped upside down, and crashed into the river at approximately 3:15 p.m. near Lower Manhattan, just off the Hoboken waterfront in New Jersey.
Shocking visuals of the crash surfaced online, showing what appeared to be a massive object plunging into the water, shortly followed by helicopter debris. Rescue teams, including emergency and police boats, rushed to the scene. The submerged aircraft’s landing gear was visible above the surface as divers began recovery efforts.
Four of the victims were declared dead at the crash site, while the other two succumbed to their injuries after being transported to local hospitals.
Jessica Tisch, New York Police Commissioner, stated that the chopper was flying in a Special Flight Rules Area, which does not involve air traffic control services — a factor now under scrutiny. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a thorough investigation, with NTSB taking the lead.
The FAA also announced the formation of a Safety Review Team to examine helicopter tour operations and their regulatory compliance in the area.
Tour helicopter activity is a common sight over Manhattan, with more than two dozen companies offering aerial sightseeing experiences. New York Helicopter Tours, whose website lists flights starting at $114 per person, has not responded to media inquiries following the accident.
Jennifer Homendy, Chairperson of the NTSB, is expected to arrive in New York with her team and will address the media on Friday regarding the progress of the investigation.
New York has witnessed similar tragedies in the past. In 2018, a chartered helicopter crashed into the East River, killing five passengers on a photo tour flight with open doors.
Meanwhile, helicopter safety has once again come under the spotlight in the U.S. Congress following a separate tragic incident earlier this year in Washington, D.C., where 67 lives were lost in a collision between a commercial flight and an Army helicopter.
Thursday’s crash has reignited concerns over air traffic management in densely populated urban regions, as authorities brace for public and regulatory scrutiny in the days to come.