A sightseeing helicopter trip over Manhattan’s misty skyline turned to tragedy on Thursday as the aircraft crashed into the Hudson River off the New Jersey coastline, killing all on board.
The victims included Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive, and his family, who were visiting from Spain, according to New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Spectators watched in horror as the helicopter plummeted from the sky, crashing upside down into the river. Fluttering debris was seen floating in the water after the crash.
The crash occurred around 3:17 p.m., when multiple 911 calls alerted authorities to the incident near Pier A Park in Hoboken, New Jersey. Police and first responders quickly arrived at the scene, pulling four victims from the water, with two additional people retrieved by the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Unfortunately, four victims were declared dead at the scene, while two others were rushed to local hospitals. Two children were later confirmed dead at Jersey City Medical Center, according to Mayor Steven Fulop.
“Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board,” said Mayor Adams, offering condolences to the grieving families.
President Donald Trump also expressed his sympathy, posting on Truth Social: “God bless the families and friends of the victims,” adding that Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy was looking into the incident.
The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Charter, remains submerged in the river. CEO Michael Roth expressed his devastation over the tragedy, adding, “I’m a father, a grandfather and my wife hasn’t stopped crying since this afternoon.”
The company’s director of maintenance declined to comment on the incident. As part of standard procedure, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation, and the company’s maintenance records are not publicly available.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, also expressed his condolences, calling the incident “an unimaginable tragedy.” He shared his grief with the victims’ loved ones in a post on X.
Flight tracking data indicated the helicopter was a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, which had been built in 2004 and had an airworthiness certificate valid until 2029. The aircraft had taken off from the downtown Manhattan heliport at 2:59 p.m., flying along the Hudson River before losing control near the New Jersey shoreline, according to New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The helicopter had been in the air for approximately 16 minutes before crashing.
Witnesses reported the helicopter’s descent was sudden and alarming, with some suggesting it appeared to stop mid-air and shed parts before it hit the water. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Weather conditions at the time were cloudy with winds between 10 to 15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. Although visibility at the surface was good, a weather system was moving into the region, bringing light rain to the area.
In response to the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily restricted drone flights in the vicinity of the crash site unless pilots have specific authorization.
