Importance Score:
55 / 100
🔵
Tragic Helicopter Crash in Hudson River Claims Six Lives
New York, NY – A devastating helicopter crash into the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey has resulted in the deaths of six individuals. Among the victims were tourists, including three children, aboard the aircraft when it plummeted into the river on Thursday afternoon. The incident, which occurred around 3:30 PM EDT, unfolded closer to the New Jersey side of the Hudson. Authorities confirmed that the passengers included a family of five from Spain, along with the pilot.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Catastrophe
“Sounded Like a Sonic Boom”
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moments leading up to the crash. One individual described hearing a sound akin to a “sonic boom,” prompting them to witness the aircraft’s final moments. “I looked up and literally just see a helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off into the sky,” the witness reported to WABC, a local ABC affiliate.
Helicopter ‘Split in Two’ Before Impact
“It was going so fast and it just went straight into the water. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,” the shaken witness added, detailing the helicopter’s rapid descent and impact.
Series of Aviation Accidents in the Region
This tragedy is the latest in a concerning series of aviation incidents in the New York City area. Past accidents include:
- 2018 East River Crash: A charter helicopter offering ‘open door’ sightseeing tours crashed into the East River, between Manhattan and Brooklyn, resulting in five fatalities.
- 2009 Hudson River Collision: A tourist helicopter collided with a fixed-wing aircraft over the Hudson River, claiming the lives of nine people.
For continuous updates on this breaking news story, follow our live blog coverage.
Flight Path of Doomed Helicopter Revealed
Tracking data indicates the helicopter departed from southern Manhattan, proceeded up the island’s west side, and then southward along the Hudson River.
The aircraft executed a U-turn near upper Manhattan but crashed close to Hoboken, New Jersey, during its return flight down the Hudson.
Statement from New York City Mayor Eric Adams
Observer Describes Helicopter ‘Slamming into the Water’
Another witness reported seeing the helicopter disintegrate as it descended towards the river in multiple pieces, approximately 500 meters from the nearest pier.
“The rotor was still airborne, and [the helicopter] just slammed into the water,” he conveyed to NBC New York.
He further noted, “The aircraft was inverted, remaining in the water, almost as if buoyant.”
Witnesses Detail Hearing “Loud Thump” Upon Impact
Brian Marks, present at Penny Park in Manhattan with his children, recounted hearing a distinct “loud thump” when the helicopter crashed into the river.
“One of my children inquired, ‘What’s that sound?’ I responded that I was unsure,” Marks stated to DailyMail.com.
Marks, a frequent kayaker in the Hudson, also mentioned his Red Cross water safety training.
“In this river, under these conditions and water temperature, hypothermia poses a rapid threat,” he cautioned regarding the perilous water conditions.
Helicopter ‘Spun Uncontrollably’ Before Hudson Plunge
Lesly Camacho, an employee at a riverside restaurant in Hoboken, New Jersey, reported observing the helicopter spinning wildly out of control moments before it crashed into the water.
“There was significant smoke. It was rotating rapidly and impacted the water with considerable force,” she explained in a phone interview, further describing the chaotic scene.
Video Footage Captures Aftermath of the Crash
Aircraft ‘Disintegrated’ Mid-Air, According to Witnesses
Another eyewitness, Bruce Wall, stated that he witnessed the helicopter “falling apart” while airborne, with the tail section and rotor detaching.
He added that the rotor continued to spin independently as the main body of the helicopter plummeted to the river.
Resurfaced Transcript of 2018 East River Helicopter Tragedy
Following Thursday’s fatal incident, a distressing video transcript from the 2018 East River helicopter crash has resurfaced. That crash involved a doors-off sightseeing tour and occurred in March 2018.
Published reports indicated that passengers in the 2018 crash struggled to release themselves from safety harnesses as the cabin filled with water.
In the transcript, a passenger is heard asking, “How do I cut this?” just moments before the helicopter was completely submerged in the river between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the transcript in September 2019, although the video itself was not made public.
The video was captured by a GoPro camera mounted inside the helicopter. NTSB investigators examined whether the harness system impeded passenger egress after the helicopter inverted and rapidly sank.
The transcript paints a grim picture, revealing the rapid unfolding of the tragedy. One passenger reached for a chest area where a hook knife was reportedly located, another struggled with shoulder straps, and a third was heard gasping for breath.
Rescue Efforts Underway Following Hudson Crash
Rescue units converged near a maintenance pier for the Holland Tunnel ventilation tower on the New Jersey shoreline of the Hudson.
Emergency responders faced challenging conditions with water temperatures at a frigid 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fire engines and other emergency vehicles were present on nearby streets, lights actively signaling the ongoing emergency operation.
Visuals from the Scene of the Rescue Mission
FAA Provides Helicopter Details, Investigation Launched
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified the downed aircraft as a Bell 206. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have announced plans to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the crash.
Witness Recounts “Sonic Boom” and Helicopter’s Descent
“It sounded like a sonic boom emanating from my right side,” an eyewitness conveyed to ABC affiliate WABC.
“I looked up and just saw a helicopter disintegrating in mid-air, with the rotor separating and flying away.”
“It was moving incredibly fast and then plummeted directly into the water. I’ve never witnessed anything of this nature,” the witness emphasized.
Disturbing Visuals Emerge of Helicopter’s Final Moments
Hudson River Helicopter Crash Adds to Big Apple Aviation Fatality Incidents
This recent incident is part of a series of tragic aircraft accidents in the region over recent years, including the 2018 charter helicopter crash in the East River that killed five.
Additionally, a 2009 mid-air collision involving a tourist helicopter over the Hudson River resulted in nine fatalities, underscoring the risks associated with air traffic in the area.
Fatality Count Reaches Six
Official sources, including the Associated Press, have confirmed that the death toll in the helicopter crash has risen to six. Among the deceased are three children.
Images Depict Helicopter Submerged in Hudson River
Initial Reports: Fatalities Confirmed in New York City Helicopter Crash
Early reports indicate at least three fatalities following a helicopter crash in the Hudson River involving tourists, including two adults and three children, traveling between New York City and New Jersey.
The catastrophic event occurred just before 3:30 PM EDT on Thursday, on the New Jersey side of the river, according to local law enforcement.
