A tragic helicopter crash in New York City’s Hudson River on Thursday claimed the lives of six people, according to media reports. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene after the chopper went down near Manhattan’s West Side Highway. NBC4 and ABC7 both reported multiple fatalities, with NBC4 confirming that six individuals were pulled from the river and pronounced dead at a hospital in New Jersey.
Six people have been killed after a helicopter crashed into New York City's Hudson River this morning.
The helicopter fell apart in midair, with the tail and propeller coming off, according to witnesses. #9News
DETAILS: https://t.co/nWwN1Af77Y pic.twitter.com/AIqXMX5qPx
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) April 10, 2025
Rescue Teams Rush to the Crash Site
Images from the crash site showed the helicopter’s landing skids jutting from the water as police and fire department boats converged on the wreckage. Both New York and New Jersey emergency personnel responded, while local authorities cordoned off the area to manage the situation.
Severe weather conditions—including strong winds and thick cloud cover—were reported at the time of the crash. NBC4 stated its own helicopter couldn’t take off due to unsafe flying conditions. Eyewitnesses claimed the main rotor blade broke away mid-air before the aircraft fell into the river, with social media videos showing parts detaching as the helicopter descended.
FAA Confirms Crash, Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident in a statement:
“A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City. The number of people on board is unknown at this time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.”
Echoes of the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’
The Hudson River, which is a major waterway between New York and New Jersey, was also the site of the famous 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” when a US Airways jet safely landed on the water. Unlike that miraculous event, Thursday’s crash ended in tragedy.
The waterway can reach depths of 200 feet (60 meters), and current temperatures hover around 46°F (8°C). Floatation devices were seen on the helicopter’s skids, according to an AFP correspondent at the site.
Traffic Impact and Emergency Response
The NYPD posted an alert, stating:
“Due to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas.”
The New York Fire Department confirmed receiving a call at 3:17 p.m. about a downed helicopter in the water. However, further details about the victims have not yet been released. The New Jersey State Police have also yet to issue a formal statement.
Renewed Calls for Helicopter Safety
Brooklyn Borough President Mark Levine noted that nearly 30 helicopter crashes have occurred in New York City since 1980. He called for stronger restrictions on non-essential helicopter traffic over the city.
Mayor Eric Adams responded on social media, writing:
“The team is on the scene at the heartbreaking and tragic crash in the Hudson River.”
