A tragic helicopter crash occurred in Manhattan, New York, around 3 PM on Thursday, claiming the lives of six individuals, including three children and three adults, all from Spain, who were on a sightseeing tour. The helicopter broke apart midair before plunging into the Hudson River. President Donald Trump referred to the incident as terrible, expressing condolences to the victims’ families on Truth Social.
Officials reported that the helicopter lost control soon after turning towards the New Jersey coastline near the George Washington Bridge. Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a loud noise as the helicopter disintegrated and fell into the river. Data from the ABS-D Exchange indicated the helicopter had taken off from Lower Manhattan and was returning south along the Hudson at the time of the crash. Winds at the time were 9 to 12 mph from the south and southeast, with visibility up to 10 miles, despite light rain present.
The helicopter had reached an altitude just over 1,000 feet but remained below cloud height. It took off from the Wall Street heliport at 2:59 PM, circling the Statue of Liberty before the accident.
Shortly after the crash, police and firefighters responded, and all six victims were retrieved from the wreckage; four were pronounced dead at the scene, while two succumbed to their injuries later. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the victims’ identities would not be released until families were informed, and an investigation into the crash is ongoing.
The family of five aboard the doomed tourist helicopter that plummeted into the Hudson River on Thursday was in New York City to celebrate the birthday of one of their three young children, report said.The family had just arrived in the Big Apple from Barcelona, Spain, to mark the birthday of one of their children,report said.
