Authorities have reported that a helicopter transporting a family of tourists crashed into the Hudson River in New York, resulting in the deaths of six people, three of whom were children.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams informed reporters yesterday, Thursday April 10th, that the family of five originated from Spain, and the sixth individual was the pilot. The accident, which is currently under investigation, occurred while all individuals were aboard the helicopter.
Adams expressed his sympathy for the families.
The identities of the individuals involved have not yet been disclosed by the authorities; however, they were widely identified as AgustÃn Escobar and his wife Mercè Camprubà Montal, who were both administrators at Siemens, and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11.
Previously, Jessica Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York Police Department, stated that the victims’ identities would not be disclosed until the families are informed.
Video footage of the incident depicts the helicopter plummeting from the atmosphere in an upside-down position and subsequently splashing into the Hudson River.
The helicopter lost control shortly after turning at the George Washington Bridge to proceed along the New Jersey shoreline, according to officials.
The helicopter, which was operated by New York Helicopters, departed from the Downtown Skyport on the lower side of Manhattan at 14:59 local time (20:59 CEST).
What is known about the Hudson helicopter crash?
According to Robert Tucker, the New York Fire Commissioner, the initial reports of the accident were received at approximately 15:17 EDT (21:17 CEST), and rescue boats were promptly dispatched.
“Swimmers were in the water shortly after the call,” he stated.
Rescuers scoured the water for victims or survivors and attempted “immediate life-saving measures” upon arriving at the scene; however, their efforts were unsuccessful.
Officials reported that four victims were declared deceased at the site, while two others were declared deceased at a nearby hospital.
The helicopter collided with the river in the vicinity of Manhattan’s west side, an area renowned for its fashionable shopping and dining establishments. Additionally, it is situated in close proximity to the primary campus of New York University.
The National Transportation Safety Board will oversee the investigation into the Bell 206 accident, a two-bladed helicopter, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
President Trump declared that the accident was catastrophic in a social media post and that additional information regarding the incident would be disclosed in the near future.
The president expressed his condolences to the families and acquaintances of the victims on Truth Social, wishing them the best of luck.
The Bell 206 is frequently employed by police departments, television stations, and sightseeing companies.
Michael Roth, the CEO of New York Helicopter Charter Inc, expressed his “devastation” to CNN.
“I am a father and grandfather, and my wife has been weeping nonstop since this afternoon,” he stated. Mr. Roth responded, “My director of maintenance is responsible for helicopter maintenance.”
Eyewitnesses who witnessed the disaster reported to CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner, that they observed components of the helicopter plummeting from the sky.
“I gazed out of my window.” I observed a few individuals sprinting towards the water, while others were behaving in a manner that was relatively unremarkable. Therefore, I thought, “Oh, it may not be anything.” Jenn Lynk, a resident of Jersey City, stated, “I then began to hear all the sirens come outside.”
Ipsitaa Banigrhi, another Jersey City resident, informed CBS that the impact resembled thunder.
She stated, “I observed black particles soaring.” “Again, I considered the possibility that it was simply dust or birds, but it was only after we heard the sirens and emergency vehicles that we realised what was happening.”
This is not the first fatal tourist helicopter accident in New York City. In 2018, an additional tourist helicopter plummeted into the East River, resulting in the drowning of all five passengers. The pilot was the sole survivor.
In 2009, a private plane collided with a helicopter transporting Italian vacationers over the Hudson River, resulting in the deaths of 9.
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