New York, April 11 — A private helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board, including three children. The victims included five Spanish tourists and the American pilot.
The aircraft, a Bell 206 operated by New York Helicopter, went down around 3:15 p.m. near Pier 40 at West Houston Street and West Street, according to the New York City Fire Department. Witnesses reported a loud thumping sound before the helicopter appeared to break apart mid-air and plunge into the river.
Among the victims was Agustín Escobar, president of Siemens Spain, along with his wife and their three children. The family was reportedly on a sightseeing tour of the city. Two of the victims were initially transported to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to their injuries.
Emergency services launched an immediate response, with NYPD and FDNY boats and rescue divers deployed along both banks of the river between Manhattan and Jersey City. The NYPD warned of traffic delays in the surrounding area and urged residents to avoid the West Side Highway near Spring Street.
Dramatic videos circulating on social media captured the moment of the crash, showing the helicopter disintegrating and its parts falling into the river. Witnesses described hearing a loud bang followed by a massive splash.
“It was terrifying,” said one onlooker. “I heard the sound, looked up, and saw parts of the helicopter falling. Then came the splash and screams.”
The aircraft’s landing skids were seen protruding from the water shortly after the crash, as flotation devices were deployed to keep the wreckage from sinking.
A senior law enforcement official confirmed that the helicopter belonged to New York Helicopter, a company that has previously faced scrutiny over safety standards. The same operator has had two reported midair breakdowns over the past 12 years.
The crash reignited concerns over helicopter traffic in New York City. Brooklyn Borough President Mark Levine, citing the 30 helicopter crashes recorded in the city since 1980, called for stricter regulations. “These aircraft pose a serious risk in densely populated areas,” Levine said.
U.S. President Donald Trump also responded to the incident, stating that investigations were underway and that the “horrendous” footage of the crash would soon be examined in detail.
The Hudson River has seen both tragedy and heroism in the past. In 2009, it was the site of the famed “Miracle on the Hudson,” when US Airways Flight 1549 successfully landed on the river, saving all 155 passengers and crew.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a joint investigation into Thursday’s crash. Officials say early findings suggest mechanical failure may have contributed to the tragedy, but a full report will follow.
As authorities recover the wreckage and examine flight data, the city mourns the loss of six lives in what is one of the deadliest helicopter accidents in New York in recent years.
