Six dead in helicopter crash in Hudson River – tragedy shakes New York!

Six dead in helicopter crash in Hudson River – tragedy shakes New York!

On April 10, 2025, a tourist helicopter, a Bell 206, crashed in the Hudson River near New York. In this tragic incident, six people, including children, lost their lives. Only three people were saved. The exact circumstances of the crash are currently unclear, but it is suspected that the helicopter may have broken apart while flying, as initial witnesses reported. Some of the deceased victims were family members visiting from Spain. Her identity has not yet been released. A witness heard a loud noise and saw the helicopter plunge into the water before calling 911.

The crash investigation has already been initiated by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). However, the authorities are breaking new ground with their investigation as the debris from the crashed helicopter is already in the water. Videos circulating online show the helicopter and the parts falling into the water. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) received an emergency call at 3:15 p.m. and has been involved in rescue operations since then. New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the governors of New York and New Jersey were notified of the incident. Police have stopped traffic in Lower Manhattan to allow emergency responders access and facilitate other services.

Rescue operations and eyewitness reports

At least four people were rescued from the water, but their condition remains uncertain. A witness reported that one of the helicopter's rotor blades broke off before the crash, raising doubts about the safety and technical aspects of the flight. Helicopter-flyed tourism is a popular attraction in Manhattan, but it also brings with it discussions about the safety and noise of flights in the densely populated city. Helicopter flights over central Manhattan require special permits, and there have been several incidents in the past that raise questions about flight regulations and safety.

Relevant incidents included a helicopter crashing into the Hudson in May 2019, where the pilot was able to escape, and another crash onto a high-rise roof. The incident is also reminiscent of the spectacular emergency landing of a US Airways plane on the Hudson in 2009, also known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” in which no one was injured. The results of the FAA and NTSB investigations are published in an annual or interim report to provide educational materials to prevent future accidents and learn more about accident causes and safety standards, similar to the practices of the BFU.

This incident will undoubtedly further fuel the discussion about the safety of helicopter flights in urban areas and draw attention to the need for increased safety measures. While rescue workers and investigators on site continue to work diligently, many questions remain unanswered and those affected and the bereaved are struggling in their efforts to gain clarity about what happened.