A tourist helicopter crashed into New York City's Hudson River on Thursday, killing all six people on board, including a Spanish family with three children and the pilot.
The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, plunged upside down into the river just off Hoboken, New Jersey, shortly after taking off from downtown Manhattan.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. ET (19:00 GMT), minutes after the helicopter had turned southward from the George Washington Bridge. Emergency responders and police boats rushed to the scene after the aircraft sank, with only the helicopter’s landing gear visible above the water’s surface. Divers were later able to recover the victims from the river.
Among the victims was Agustin Escobar, a German technology executive of Siemens, according to the New York Times. However, U.S. authorities have not yet confirmed the names of those on board. Siemens, where Escobar worked, has not yet commented on the incident.
Eyewitnesses, such as Dani Horbiak, a Jersey City resident, described seeing the helicopter "falling to pieces" before crashing into the river. Horbiak, who watched from her window, called emergency services immediately after witnessing the crash.
The helicopter was operating in a Special Flight Rules Area, which does not provide air traffic control services, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash, with the NTSB leading the inquiry.
This incident marks the latest in a series of high-profile helicopter accidents in New York. In 2018, five passengers were killed in a crash into the East River. The FAA has since been reviewing helicopter safety regulations, particularly concerning flights near major airports.
The crash has reignited discussions about helicopter safety, especially in New York, where helicopter tours offer stunning aerial views of the city’s landmarks. The investigation is ongoing, with the NTSB expected to hold a media briefing on Friday.
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