New York: A sightseeing helicopter operated by New York Helicopter Tours crashed into New York City’s Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board. The victims included a Spanish family with three children and the pilot, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
Among the deceased was Agustin Escobar, an executive with the German-based technology firm Siemens, according to The New York Times, citing unnamed law enforcement sources.
While the New York City Police Department referred confirmation of Escobar’s identity to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Coast Guard said in a statement that it did not yet have the names of the victims. Siemens has not issued a public comment.
A video capturing the tragic moment showed a large object plunging into the river, followed by helicopter blades slicing through the air. Emergency response boats were seen rushing to the site, where the aircraft was submerged with only the landing gear visible above the water.
Video captures a large splash of water after a tourist helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City https://t.co/7DG1ak1dr2 pic.twitter.com/VCTyeb9Qfb
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 11, 2025
The helicopter, identified as a Bell 206, departed from a downtown Manhattan heliport at approximately 3:00 p.m. ET, heading north along the Hudson River. According to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the aircraft turned south upon reaching the George Washington Bridge and crashed minutes later around 3:15 p.m., flipping upside down and submerging near Lower Manhattan, just off Hoboken, New Jersey.
Divers were dispatched immediately, pulling the victims from the water. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at nearby hospitals.
Manhattan’s airspace is heavily trafficked by tour helicopters offering aerial views of landmarks. At least two dozen operators are listed on the travel platform Viator, with tours starting as low as $114 per person. New York Helicopter Tours, the operator involved in the crash, has yet to issue a statement.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that the helicopter was flying within a Special Flight Rules Area, where air traffic control services are not provided. Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations, with the NTSB taking the lead.
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Duffy confirmed that the FAA had initiated a Safety Review Team following the crash. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and her team were expected to arrive in New York later Thursday, with a press briefing scheduled for Friday.
New York has seen multiple helicopter-related incidents in recent years. In 2018, a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the East River, killing five passengers. That flight had featured an open-door configuration for photography purposes, which was later scrutinized for safety concerns.
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The NYPD confirmed that police boats supported the rescue efforts on Thursday.
Meanwhile, helicopter safety remains under review in the United States. A major incident earlier this year, in which 67 people were killed in a collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., led to permanent restrictions on helicopter traffic in that area. The FAA is now evaluating operations around other major airports.
