Jersey City, New Jersey – A heartbreaking incident occurred Thursday at around 3:17 p.m. when a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, killing all six people on board, which included a family of five from Spain and the pilot.
The helicopter, a Bell 206 operated by New York Helicopter, took off from Lower Manhattan approximately 15 minutes before the crash. It reportedly flew over Governor’s Island and the Statue of Liberty before losing altitude and crashing near River Drive South in Hoboken.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences during a press conference, stating, “Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board and all six who were on board of the helicopter.” The victims included three children aged 4, 8, and 10. The family, which resided in Barcelona, was visiting for leisure.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted that the helicopter crashed inverted, causing immediate efforts from rescue within minutes. NYPD, FDNY, and several New Jersey agencies were on the scene, with initial units arriving swiftly after dark. Four victims were pronounced dead on-site, while two others were taken to local hospitals but later succumbed to their injuries.
According to preliminary reports, the helicopter appeared to suffer catastrophic mechanical failure, with witnesses describing dramatic scenes as parts came apart in the air before plunging into the water. “I saw the propeller separating from the helicopter, which kept spinning in the air alone,” recalled witness Sarah Jane Raymond Ryer.
As the situation unfolded, President Donald Trump took to social media platform Truth Social, labeling the crash as “terrible” and expressing sympathy for the families of the victims. “Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. God bless the families and friends of the victims,” he wrote.
In response to the tragedy, the Coast Guard established a safety zone along the river, halting vessel traffic to assist with recovery operations. At the time of the crash, weather conditions were reported to be overcast, with winds gusting up to 21 miles per hour.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting investigations into the crash. Flight records indicate that the helicopter had made multiple trips from various heliports in the area prior to the accident.
In a statement, Siemens expressed sorrow over the loss of Agustin Escobar and his family, emphasizing their commitment to cooperating with authorities and supporting first responders. The company acknowledged the impact of this tragedy on their operations.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter, expressed devastation, stating, “We are a small company. I’m a father and a grandfather, and we’re just devastated. We have no clue what happened.” He refrained from discussing the aircraft’s maintenance history but asserted compliance with regulations.
Eyewitness accounts continue to circulate as rescue teams recover parts of the aircraft. Investigators are focused on determining the exact causes behind the crash. The Bell 206 helicopter was on its sixth flight for the day when it met with tragedy.
Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City remarked on the crash, highlighting the city’s prior concerns about air traffic over the Hudson and expressing hope that this incident will lead to greater safety measures being explored.
Previous helicopter incidents in the city, including a fatal crash in 2018, have led to increased scrutiny regarding helicopter safety and operations in a crowded urban airspace. As the investigations proceed, authorities aim to uncover the details surrounding this latest aviation disaster.
