A devastating helicopter crash in the Hudson River near Manhattan has claimed the lives of six people, according to a source with the Associated Press. The tragic incident unfolded on Thursday afternoon, sending emergency responders racing to the scene as reports of a submerged helicopter quickly spread across New York City.
Initial reports suggested that there were no immediate injuries or fatalities, but that information was later updated as the scale of the tragedy became clear. Authorities now confirm that all six people onboard the aircraft were killed in the crash.
Shocking video footage shared on social media showed the helicopter partially submerged, flipped upside down in the river as emergency boats rushed to the scene. The crash occurred just after 3:00 p.m., near a maintenance pier close to one of the ventilation towers for the Holland Tunnel.
Bystanders reported hearing a loud mechanical noise before seeing the helicopter spiral downward into the water. “It just dropped — no warning,” said one eyewitness who was walking along the Hudson River Park.
The New York City Fire Department dispatched multiple rescue boats and units to the location after receiving a distress report at approximately 3:17 p.m. Crews conducted underwater searches in an effort to rescue any survivors, but tragically, all six occupants of the helicopter were eventually confirmed dead.
Fire trucks and ambulances swarmed the West Side Highway as divers scoured the river in increasingly dire weather conditions. Recovery efforts were hampered by the current and visibility in the water.
Thursday’s crash adds to a string of helicopter-related tragedies in New York City. The Hudson River and surrounding airspace are heavily trafficked by both commercial and private helicopters, often ferrying executives, tourists, and cargo to and from helipads scattered throughout Manhattan.
In 2009, a mid-air collision between a private plane and a sightseeing helicopter over the Hudson River resulted in nine fatalities. In 2018, a charter helicopter offering “open door” aerial tours crashed into the East River, killing five passengers.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, and it’s unclear whether the helicopter was conducting a commercial tour or a private flight at the time of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are both expected to launch thorough investigations to determine the cause.
The aircraft’s maintenance records, flight path, weather conditions, and pilot communications will be central to the ongoing inquiry. Early speculation suggests mechanical failure may have played a role, though no official cause has been announced.
As New York reels from yet another aviation tragedy, local leaders and citizens alike are calling for renewed scrutiny of helicopter operations over the densely populated city. Grief counselors have been made available to the families of the victims, and a vigil is expected to be held along the Hudson River in the coming days.
“This is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks involved in aerial transport in urban environments,” a city official said. “Our thoughts are with the families affected by this terrible loss.”
AP
