NEW YORK: A tragic helicopter crash in New York City’s Hudson River on Thursday claimed the lives of all six people on board, including three children, according to Reuters. The victims included a family visiting from Spain and the pilot.
Two passengers were initially rescued and transported to the hospital but later succumbed to their injuries, officials said.
While authorities have yet to officially release the names of the deceased, The New York Post reported that the victims included Agustín Escobar, President and CEO of Siemens Spain, his wife, and their three children.
“All six victims have been recovered from the water and, tragically, all have been pronounced dead,” Mayor Eric Adams announced during a press briefing. “It’s an absolutely heartbreaking and tragic incident.”
U.S. President Donald Trump also responded to the incident, posting on Truth Social:
“Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people — the pilot, two adults, and three children — are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!”
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the helicopter, a Bell 206 operated by New York Helicopter Tours, took off around 3 p.m. from a downtown Manhattan helipad. It flew north along the Hudson River, turned south near the George Washington Bridge, and then crashed upside down into the river near Lower Manhattan at approximately 3:15 p.m.
Dramatic footage circulating on social media shows a large object plummeting into the water, followed by what appeared to be a helicopter blade. Emergency response boats arrived at the crash site within minutes.
Witness Bruce Wall told the Associated Press he saw the helicopter “falling apart” midair, with its tail and rotor separating before impact. “The propeller was still spinning even after it detached,” he said.
The airspace over Manhattan is frequently used by tour helicopters and private aircraft. This latest tragedy has reignited concerns about the safety of tourist flights in the area. In a similar incident in 2018, five people died when a chartered helicopter offering “open-door” flights crashed into the East River. In 2009, a midair collision between a tourist helicopter and a small plane over the Hudson killed nine people.
Authorities are investigating the cause of Thursday’s crash.
