New York City, USA — Six people don die after one tourist helicopter wey carry family from Spain crash into Hudson River on Thursday afternoon. The crash happen around 3:17 p.m. near the Holland Tunnel ventilation shaft for Jersey City, close to River Drive South and Newport Parkway.
The victims include three children and their parents, as well as the pilot. Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, confirm say the victims be a family of five from Spain and the pilot. Adams share, “Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board and all six who were on board of the helicopter.”
Siemens, the German industrial company wey get the executive wey die, release statement on Friday say they dey mourn the loss. Adams comment say the children be ages 4, 8, and 10.
According to Jessica Tisch, NYPD Commissioner, numerous first responders show up quick, with divers from NYPD and FDNY rushing into the water. “Four victims were pronounced dead on the scene while two more died later at local hospitals,” she said.
The helicopter, a Bell 206, dey operated by New York Helicopters. The aircraft took off from Lower Manhattan and was on its sixth flight of the day when it crash after turning towards the George Washington Bridge.
A witness, Dani Horbiak, describe how the chopper start to fall apart mid-air: “I heard five or six loud noises that sounded like gunshots and watched it fall into the river.” Another witness, 21-year-old Eric Campoverde, watched as it dropped at a 45-degree angle before crashing. “Big splash — it was very scary,” e talk.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter, express his devastation over the crash. “I haven’t seen anything like that in my 30 years in the helicopter business,” he said, adding that he was devastated and distraught over the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) don start investigation into the crash. The Coast Guard don create safety zone for the river, affecting ferry services after the incident. Flight path records indicate say the helicopter don dey fly multiple trips in the area before the crash.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter hit the water upside down without its rotors. A witness named Sarah Jane Raymond Ryer mentioned, “It sounded honestly like an engine came out. I looked outside my window and saw it going down.”
In a statement, President Donald Trump call the crash “terrible,” expressing condolences for the families involved, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the news as “devastating.”
This crash dey under investigation, and the NTSB go release findings when dem finish. Helicopter crashes don been serious issue, with at least 32 lives lost in similar incidents since 1977 in New York City.
