Six feared dead in fatal Helicopter crash

Six persons, including three children, have been confirmed dead following a tragic helicopter crash in New York City’s Hudson River.

The ill-fated aircraft, a Bell 206 model, plunged into the river near Lower Manhattan on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

The victims included the pilot and a family of five from Spain who were on a sightseeing tour of New York City.

Two of the victims were rescued from the water and rushed to a nearby hospital, but later died from their injuries.

New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, confirmed the deaths during a press briefing shortly after rescue efforts ended.

“At this time, all six victims have been removed from the water. Sadly, all six have been pronounced deceased,” he said.

The helicopter reportedly broke apart mid-air before crashing upside down into the river between Manhattan and the New Jersey shoreline.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as emergency boats and police marine units surrounded the submerged wreckage.

The crash has raised fresh concerns about the safety of sightseeing helicopter tours operating over densely populated areas.

Representative Grace Meng expressed her sorrow in a post, describing the news as devastating.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified the aircraft as a Bell 206 — a popular helicopter used by media houses and law enforcement.

Originally developed for military use, the Bell 206 has since been adapted for commercial and tourism purposes.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced a full investigation into the cause of the incident.

The crash occurred off the coast of Tribeca, a busy area near Wall Street with heavy river traffic and residential buildings.

Police have advised residents to expect significant traffic delays due to the emergency response operations in the vicinity.

The Hudson River, which reaches depths of 60 metres, has seen multiple aviation disasters in recent years.

In 2009, nine people died when a plane collided midair with a sightseeing helicopter over the river.

In 2018, another sightseeing helicopter offering “open door” rides crashed into the East River, killing five passengers.

The Hudson tragedy adds to a growing list of recent U.S. aviation accidents, including a deadly January crash in Philadelphia.

Just two days before that, an American Airlines jet and military helicopter collided midair in Washington, killing several.

Authorities have yet to confirm what caused Thursday’s crash, but mechanical failure or structural issues are being considered.

Rescue divers and emergency teams spent hours retrieving bodies and wreckage from the river under challenging conditions.

Mayor Adams praised the swift response of emergency services and promised support to the grieving families of the victims.

New Yorkers have continued to mourn the loss, with flags flown at half-mast and tributes pouring in across social media.

The crash has renewed calls for stricter regulations and reviews of helicopter tour operations within urban airspace.

As investigations begin, the city and aviation authorities face growing pressure to prioritize passenger safety over tourism profits.

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