Six Dead After Sightseeing Helicopter Crashes into Hudson River in New York

New York City: A tragic helicopter crash claimed the lives of six people on Thursday after a sightseeing aircraft broke apart midair and plunged upside down into the Hudson River, officials confirmed. The victims included the pilot and five Spanish tourists from the same family, turning what was meant to be a joyful excursion into a devastating accident.

According to Reuters, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that all six bodies were recovered from the river by emergency divers and police safety boats. Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining two were rushed to local hospitals but succumbed to their injuries shortly thereafter.

Among the deceased was Agustin Escobar, a high-ranking executive at Siemens, along with his wife and their three children. The family, visiting New York from Spain, had boarded the helicopter for a scenic tour of the city. The pilot, whose identity has not been officially released, also perished in the crash.

Witnesses and video footage captured the terrifying moments as a large object appeared to fall from the sky into the Hudson River, followed seconds later by a helicopter blade spinning separately. Emergency boats and police rescue teams were seen swiftly converging on the crash site. The only visible remnant of the helicopter was a portion of the landing gear protruding from the surface of the water.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are working together to determine what caused the helicopter to break apart midair. Preliminary reports suggest a catastrophic mechanical failure may have been involved, though this has yet to be confirmed.

Mayor Adams offered condolences to the families of the victims, calling the incident a “heartbreaking tragedy” and pledging a thorough investigation to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again. “Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those lost in this horrific crash,” he said. “We will do everything in our power to understand how this occurred and to ensure the highest safety standards are enforced.”

The crash raises renewed concerns about the safety of sightseeing helicopter tours, which have long been popular in New York City but have also drawn criticism for their environmental impact, noise pollution, and safety risks. In recent years, there have been increasing calls to regulate or limit these flights, especially over densely populated areas or major waterways.

As the city mourns the loss of six lives, flags were seen flying at half-mast at government buildings across the city. Local Spanish consulate officials have been in touch with the victims' relatives and are working to provide support and assist with the repatriation process.

The Hudson River, typically a place of scenic beauty and bustling maritime traffic, became the scene of frantic rescue operations and somber recovery efforts on Thursday evening. The investigation is expected to take weeks, and authorities have asked anyone with video footage or information about the crash to come forward.

As the sun set over New York City, the lights from the skyline reflected off the dark waters of the Hudson — a stark contrast to the tragedy that had unfolded just hours before.