US: Helicopter plunges into Hudson River, killing all six passengers Siemens Exec, Family Among Dead / video

A tourist helicopter carrying a Siemens executive, his wife, and their three young children crashed into New York City’s Hudson River on April 10, killing all six people on board, officials confirmed.

The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, departed from a downtown Manhattan heliport shortly after 3pm local time before crashing into the river around 15 minutes later, Caliber.Az reports per US media.

According to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the aircraft had flown north along the Hudson River before turning south near the George Washington Bridge. It then went down near Lower Manhattan, off the coast of Hoboken, New Jersey, hitting the water upside down and becoming submerged, with only the landing gear remaining visible above the surface.

Video footage captured the moment the aircraft plummeted into the water, followed by what appeared to be a detached rotor blade. Emergency responders, including police and rescue divers, rushed to the scene, recovering the bodies of all six occupants — the pilot, two other adults, and three children.

Four were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining two died shortly after being taken to nearby hospitals.

The airspace above Manhattan is routinely busy with helicopter traffic, offering tourists aerial views of the city’s landmarks. Dozens of operators advertise sightseeing and airport shuttle services online.

Both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead.

New York has seen several fatal helicopter incidents in recent years. In 2018, five passengers lost their lives when a helicopter on a chartered photo flight crashed into the East River. The pilot survived.

Concerns over helicopter safety have resurfaced recently in the United States, particularly following a collision in January involving a regional jet and a military helicopter near Washington DC, which killed 67 people. That crash led the FAA to impose permanent restrictions on helicopter traffic around Reagan National Airport, and a broader review of helicopter operations near major airports is under way.

A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department confirmed marine units assisted in Thursday’s rescue and recovery efforts.

US President Donald Trump has expressed his condolences following a tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River that claimed the lives of six people, including the pilot, two adults, and three children.

Trump shared his message on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, "Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims."

He also noted that Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and his team are addressing the incident, adding, "Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!"

By Aghakazim Guliyev