Spanish household amongst six lifeless in Hudson River helicopter crash

Six folks, together with three kids, had been killed after a helicopter carrying a household of Spanish vacationers crashed into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday, authorities stated.

Three kids and three adults had been onboard the helicopter on the time of the crash. 5 of the people had been from Spain and the sixth individual was the pilot, New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams instructed reporters.

“Our hearts exit to the households,” he stated.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated the identities of the victims wouldn’t be launched till the households had been notified. The reason for the crash is beneath investigation.

Video footage posted to social media seems to indicate the helicopter falling out of the sky the other way up and splashing down within the Hudson River.

Officers stated the helicopter misplaced management quickly after turning on the George Washington Bridge to maneuver alongside the New Jersey shoreline.

The primary calls of the crash got here round 15:17 EDT (20:17 GMT) and rescue boats had been launched instantly, New York’s Fireplace Commissioner Robert Tucker stated.

“Swimmers had been within the water shortly after the decision,” he stated.

As soon as on the scene, rescuers began looking the water for victims or survivors and initiated “fast life-saving measures” however the efforts had been unsuccessful.

4 victims had been pronounced lifeless on scene, the opposite two victims had been pronounced lifeless at an space hospital, officers stated.

The a part of the river the place the helicopter crashed is close to the West Facet of Manhattan. The encompassing space is a neighbourhood referred to as the West Village, a classy space recognized for its outlets and eating, additionally close to the principle campus of New York College.

A BBC journalist who was on the high of the World Commerce Middle on the time of the crash stated there have been a couple of dozen boats surrounding the positioning of the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated the investigation into the crash of the Bell 206, a two-bladed helicopter, could be led by the Nationwide Transportation Security Board.

The Bell 206 is often utilized by sightseeing firms, tv new stations and police departments.

This was one of many deadliest helicopter crashes in New York Metropolis since 2018, when a vacationer helicopter crashed into the East River. All 5 passengers drowned and solely the pilot survived. In 2009, a helicopter carrying Italian vacationers collided with a non-public aircraft over the Hudson River killing 9 folks.