A tourism helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Manhattan in New York City on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board, including three children.
Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were taken to the hospital where they died, Mayor Eric Adams confirmed at a press conference on Thursday evening.
At least some of the victims included a family visiting from Spain, Adams said.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at the press conference that the helicopter lost control just after turning at the George Washington Bridge to move along the New Jersey shoreline. Authorities responded to initial calls at 3:17 p.m. local time, an NYPD spokesperson told Business Insider.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the helicopter involved was a Bell 206, a popular and versatile model, and that the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, though officials said that it appeared the helicopter, which officials said was operated by New York Helicopters Tour Company, lost control.
The helicopter company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a post on X that she joins “all New Yorkers in praying for those we’ve lost and their families.”
In an earlier statement on X, NYC Mayor Eric Adams called the crash “heartbreaking and tragic.” He urged bystanders to avoid the area near Pier 40 in Manhattan.
Calls to the helicopter’s registered owner, a Louisiana firm, were unanswered.
A recent spate of plane crashes has heightened awareness of aviation safety, but Thursday’s incident appears to have no relation to the airline crashes for now.
The Hudson River sees heavy helicopter traffic between area airports and tourist flights over sites like the Statue of Liberty. Pilots are required to use corridors and specific flight rules designated by the FAA.
It’s not the first time a helicopter has crashed into the rivers near New York City. In 2018, five people died after a helicopter made an emergency landing in the East River and flipped upside down, trapping the passengers inside.
And in 2019, a helicopter crash-landed on the roof of a skyscraper, killing the pilot.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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