Emergency crews are on the scene of a two-bladed helicopter crash in the Hudson River. The helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday 10th April at 15:17EDT (20:17 GMT). The aircraft took off from Lower Manhattan at 3pm. Six deaths have since been confirmed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Five passengers and pilot confirmed dead
The passengers from Spain included three children, who are among the victims sadly deceased.
The Bell 206 crashed in the water near Pier 40
According to FlightAware, the aircraft was a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger, built in 2004. The helicopter was around 39 feet and 8 inches long. The aircraft was being used as a tourist helicopter.
The aircraft crashed near Pier 40, close to Holland Tunnel and Hoboken. Pier 40 is home to a large athletic field and was formerly used as a marine terminal. The rotary-craft had a maximum speed of 110 knots, or, 127mph.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board is due to happen into the causes of the crash, but officials have commented that the helicopter ‘lost control’ before ‘hitting the water upside down’. Shortly after, calls to 911 reporting the incident flooded in.
Roads near the site are currently closed
In a statement on X, the NYPD reported: ‘Due to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas’.
New York Fire and Police Departments are on site
New York Fire Department are utilising their fireboats, with a number presently on the river. NYPD and FDNY divers worked swiftly to rescue and recover the victims from the river. Lifesaving measures were given to two victims on site, but they sadly died on scene.
CBS reports that:
‘NYPD divers pulled four people from the crash site, and FDNY divers recovered an additional two’.
Additional updates to follow.
