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Fatal Helicopter Crash in Hudson River: NYC Mayor Confirms Six Deaths
New York City Mayor Eric Adams verified the deaths of six individuals, comprising three children and three adults, in the Hudson River helicopter incident.
All six victims have been recovered from the water and sadly all six victims have been confirmed deceased.
Key events
News outlets have circulated a map detailing the flight trajectory of the helicopter before the New York City helicopter crash.
Initial reports indicated the aircraft was airborne for approximately 15 minutes prior to plunging into the Hudson River near the Holland Tunnel.
NYPD Commissioner: Four Declared Dead at Scene
According to the flight manifest, all six occupants were aboard the helicopter when it crashed, stated New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
She indicated that the manifest detailed one pilot, two adult passengers, and three children.
Divers from the New York Police Department retrieved four individuals from the crash site, while divers from the New York City Fire Department recovered an additional two, she elaborated.
Commissioner Tisch confirmed that four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were transported to nearby hospitals, “where both unfortunately died from their injuries.”
The New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the investigation remains active.
She detailed that emergency services began receiving numerous 911 calls around 3:17 pm ET this afternoon, reporting a helicopter crash in the Hudson River.
First responders arrived at the scene swiftly, with NYPD divers entering the water alongside rescue teams from the New York City Fire Department, Port Authority, and various New Jersey agencies, she added.
NYPD: Helicopter Seemed to Lose Control Before Hudson River Crash
“We believe the helicopter impacted the water upside down,” stated New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch during the press conference.
She added that preliminary indications suggest the helicopter appeared to veer out of control prior to crashing into the river.
Kaz Daughtry, New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, conveyed that despite exhaustive efforts to revive the victims after their retrieval from the water, all attempts were unsuccessful.
Spanish Family Among Victims in Deadly Helicopter Crash, Mayor Confirms
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences to the families of the six individuals aboard the ill-fated helicopter.
Mayor Adams confirmed that the inquiry into the New York City helicopter crash is currently underway.
He noted that authorities started receiving numerous emergency calls around 6:17 pm ET regarding a helicopter that had gone down in the river.
The mayor stated that a total of six people—three adults and three children—were on board the Bell 206 helicopter, which had departed from downtown Skyport.
He revealed that the victims include the pilot and a family, believed to be tourists visiting from Spain.
Mayor: Six Perish in Hudson River Helicopter Accident
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially confirmed the deaths of six individuals, including three children and three adults, in the Hudson River helicopter crash:
All six victims have been recovered from the water and sadly all six victims have been confirmed deceased.
Officials Commence Press Briefing on Hudson River Helicopter Crash
Kaz Daughtry, Deputy Mayor of New York City for Public Safety, has begun addressing the media at a press conference. Present at the briefing are New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and New York Fire Department Commissioner Robert Tucker.
Police have escorted the press to the waterfront at the pier’s edge, in anticipation of a press conference from New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Emergency response vessels, with blue lights flashing, remain visible towards the opposite bank of the Hudson River.
The area is characterized by strong tidal flows and river currents, located just upstream from New York Harbor, near the Statue of Liberty.
According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the helicopter was in operation for approximately 15 minutes before the New York City crash.
Flightradar24 identified the aircraft as a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, registration N216MH.
An eyewitness recounted observing the helicopter “dismembering” mid-air, with a rotor blade “detaching and flying upwards.”
“It erupted with a sonic boom-like sound,” the witness stated to ABC News.
I looked up and witnessed a helicopter splitting apart, with the rotor flying off into the sky. It was traveling at immense speed, plunging directly into the water.
“I have never witnessed anything comparable,” the witness added.