In a heartbreaking incident yesterday, a sightseeing helicopter tragically crashed into the Hudson River in New York, claiming the lives of six individuals, including three children. This devastating event prompted an extensive water rescue operation, as confirmed by local authorities.
All aboard the aircraft—comprising the pilot and a family from Spain—perished in the crash. Initially, two victims were rushed to the hospital, yet they later succumbed to their injuries.
While officials have not yet disclosed the identities of the victims, various reports from US media have identified one of them as Agustin Escobar, a prominent Spanish executive at Siemens, a global technology firm. Reflecting on this tragedy, Escobar remarked, “The news reaching us of the helicopter crash in the Hudson River is devastating. Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives—an unimaginable tragedy. I share in the grief of the victims’ loved ones at this heartbreaking time.”
Video footage of the incident depicted a large object plummeting into the river, followed shortly by what appeared to be a helicopter blade. Emergency response teams swiftly mobilized to the area, with police and rescue boats circling a section of the river where the helicopter lay submerged, its landing gear barely visible above the water’s surface.
The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, took off from a downtown helicopter pad around 3 PM local time (8 PM Irish time) and headed north over the Hudson River. According to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the helicopter veered south near the George Washington Bridge before crashing minutes later, coming to rest upside down close to Lower Manhattan at approximately 3:15 PM, off the coast of Hoboken, New Jersey.
Rescue divers worked diligently to recover the victims from the water. Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while two additional victims were later declared deceased at local medical facilities.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences via social media, describing the crash as “terrible.” He stated, “The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims.”
Notably, NBC4 reported that its helicopter was grounded due to adverse weather conditions prevalent in New York at the time, characterized by strong gusts and thick cloud cover. Witnesses at the scene recounted that it appeared as though the helicopter’s rotor blade “shattered in the sky.” Fashion designer Belle Angel shared her experience, stating, “After it shattered, we saw the helicopter spiral… and then it just crashed into the water just like that.”
New York’s airspace is a bustling hub for tourist helicopters, with at least two dozen operators offering aerial views of the city. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that the tour helicopter was operating within a Special Flight Rules Area, where air traffic control services were not provided at the time of the accident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct investigations into the crash, with the NTSB leading the inquiry. Duffy mentioned that the FAA has initiated a Safety Review Team following this incident. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy is expected to arrive in New York shortly, and a press briefing is anticipated today.
This unfortunate event adds to New York City’s history of helicopter accidents. For instance, in 2018, a charter helicopter crashed into the East River, resulting in the death of five passengers while the pilot survived. Recent discussions in the US Congress have emphasized helicopter safety, particularly after a tragic collision that occurred near Reagan National Airport in January, resulting in 67 fatalities.
In light of these incidents, the FAA has since imposed permanent restrictions on helicopter operations near that airport and is actively reviewing air traffic protocols for other significant airports.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy and hope the investigations will bring clarity and safety improvements to helicopter operations.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
