Plane goes down in New York Metropolis close to Pier 40

Dominick Cognata was strolling alongside the West Aspect Freeway to retrieve a flag soccer when a loud sound he’d by no means heard earlier than caught his consideration over by the New Jersey facet of the river.

“It gave the impression of, like a engine simply dying…and I simply turned I look, and I noticed the helicopter crash and splashing to the water,” Cognata instructed NBC Information.

He known as 911, utilizing Pier 40 as a reference level however saying it was onerous to supply different particulars since there are not any avenue indicators close to the walkway the place he was. When Cognata bought off the telephone, he tried to movie the helicopter however it appeared to have already sunk into the water.

Cognata described the occasion as “extraordinarily tragic.”

“It was loopy… I stroll alongside this path nearly like day-after-day for train, and to only see that dwell,” Cognata stated. “You recognize, I’ve lived right here my complete life. I’ve witnessed 9/11. I labored within the subsequent constructing. So that is like, one thing simply added to that listing of unlucky issues that I’ve seen occur in Manhattan.”

At this early stage of the investigation, and with warning that the numbers might change, there have been six folks on board the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River — believed to be a vacationer helicopter — and at the very least 4 have been killed, in response to three senior New Jersey and New York legislation enforcement officers.

No phrase on the trigger, the officers say. 

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams stated on X his crew is on scene “on the heartbreaking and tragic crash within the Hudson River.” He added that FDNY and NYPD groups are serving to first responders near the New Jersey facet of the river.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy stated on X he has additionally been briefed on the crash. He stated the New Jersey State Police and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are aiding the emergency response effort.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul additionally stated she was monitoring rescue efforts in a put up on X and joined “all New Yorkers in praying for these we’ve misplaced and their households.”

A sixth particular person was pulled from the Hudson River, a senior rescue official instructed NBC Information.

It was not clear whether or not the sixth particular person was one of many a number of deceased or what the situation of the residing folks was.

It was beforehand understood that there have been 5 folks on board: one pilot, two adults and two kids. It isn’t clear who the sixth particular person was.

First responders could possibly be seen attending to the crash website of the submerged helicopter.

The FAA and Nationwide Transportation Security Board are investigating the crash of the Bell 206 helicopter within the Hudson River, the FAA stated in an announcement.

The wreckage of the helicopter is now submerged within the river, the company stated, including that it was not conscious of the full variety of folks on board.

An enormous police presence has all however stopped site visitors on the West Aspect Freeway under Houston Avenue.

The positioning of the crash seems to be alongside the western facet of the Hudson River, that borders Hoboken, New Jersey.

Video from social media exhibits the physique of the helicopter plummeting into the Hudson River, inflicting a big splash and a increase because it hit the water.

Particles from the plane can then be seen falling into the water.

Video posted to social media exhibits what seem like items of the helicopter falling from the sky and into the Hudson River.

Whereas the physique of the plane is just not seen, what seems to be one of many chopper’s propellers might be seen spinning into the physique of water.

No less than 4 folks have been faraway from the water because the helicopter got here to relaxation close to the Holland Tunnel air flow shaft on the New Jersey facet of the Hudson River, in response to three senior legislation enforcement officers briefed on the matter.

The circumstances of the folks weren’t identified.

Two officers stated that, at this early stage of the investigation, it seems to have been a vacationer helicopter, however they’re nonetheless checking that data out.

There have been at the very least 4 folks on board the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River, legislation enforcement sources stated.

A number of have been pulled from the water, although it isn’t clear what situation they’re in.

Somebody who witnessed crash stated he noticed one of many helicopter’s blades fly off.

Avi Rakesh stated he noticed the helicopter going south towards New Jersey when “the chopper blade flew off.”

“I do not know what occurred to the tail, however it simply straight up dropped,” Rakesh instructed NBC Information. “It dropped ft away from Holland Tunnel, and I am unable to think about if it hit it.”

The NTSB is gathering data on the Hudson helicopter crash.

The FDNY stated that it obtained a name of a helicopter within the water at round 3:15 p.m. and that its items are responding to the scene.

The division’s land marine items are executing rescue operations, the FDNY stated. It’s nonetheless not clear whether or not there are accidents or how many individuals have been on board.

Pier 40 is an lively, multiuse facility alongside the Hudson River. There are sports activities fields, vacationer celebration boats and a big automobile park.

It is on the intersection of West Avenue and Houston Avenue.

The helicopter went down within the space of the West Aspect Freeway and Spring Avenue, the New York Police Division stated. It warned of site visitors delays and emergency automobiles within the surrounding areas.

A helicopter has crashed into the Hudson River close to Pier 40 in New York Metropolis.

It isn’t but identified if there have been any accidents or fatalities. It was additionally not instantly clear who might have been aboard.