CITIZENS COMPASS– Six people have lost their lives when a helicopter crashed inA seven-seater single-engine Bell helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City, United States of America.
Officials said the victims were five members of a family from Spain ‒ two adults and three children ‒ and the pilot. Rescue divers responded immediately, pulling all six from the water. Four were pronounced dead on scene and two others were taken to local hospitals, where they were pronounced.
“Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board,” Adams said. “The investigation is still ongoing.”
Video footage from local media showed rescue boats surrounding the overturned Bell 206 helicopter, its skids bobbing in the water. CBS News and The Associated Press reported that six people were killed in the 3:17 p.m. April 10, crash in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, between New York and New Jersey.
The New York Helicopters-owned helicopter was ferrying the family on a “flightseeing” tour of New York City, a popular way to see landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State Building and Wall Street.
“I was walking by and the helicopter went down at 45-degree angle,” Eric Campoverde told ABC News. “Big splash ‒ it was very scary.”
Just before rush hour, the West Side Highway was snarled in traffic, with dozens of FDNY and NYPD vehicles blocking parts of the road. At least two drones flew above the Hudson as dozens of emergency responders stood on Pier 40 beyond police barricades.
An FDNY boat circled the area as rain fell. Despite the rain, visibility across the river was clear across to New Jersey and south to Staten Island.
Mayor Eric Adams said the ill-fated helicopter was a seven-seater single-engine Bell.
