Six dead after helicopter crashes in New Yorks Hudson River

A helicopter carrying a family of Spanish tourists crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday. Six people died, including three children, according to authorities.

Three adults and three children were onboard during the crash. Five of the individuals were from Spain, and the sixth was the pilot. New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences for the families affected.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that victim identities will be released later. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

Social media footage shows the helicopter falling upside down before hitting the water. Officials reported that it lost control after turning at the George Washington Bridge.

The first calls about the crash came in around 3:17 PM EDT (20:17 GMT). Rescue boats were launched immediately, as stated by New York's Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker. Swimmers entered the water shortly after receiving the call.

Rescuers searched for victims and initiated life-saving measures upon arrival. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful. Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others died at a nearby hospital.

The crash occurred near Manhattan's West Side, in an area called West Village. This neighborhood is known for its shops and dining options and is close to New York University's main campus.

A BBC journalist at the World Trade Center reported about a dozen boats surrounding the crash site. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into this incident.

The Bell 206 helicopter involved is commonly used for sightseeing tours, news coverage, and police work. This incident marks one of New York City's deadliest helicopter crashes since 2018 when a tourist helicopter went down in the East River.

In that crash, all five passengers drowned while only the pilot survived. In 2009, another tragic accident occurred when a helicopter collided with a private plane over the Hudson River, killing nine people.