Six fatalities reported following helicopter crash in the Hudson River, New York.

A family of Spanish tourists, including three children, tragically lost their lives when their helicopter descended into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday, according to authorities.

The aircraft carried three adults and three children at the time of the accident, with five of them hailing from Spain, while the sixth individual on board was the pilot, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed to reporters. "Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy," he expressed. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the identities of the deceased will not be disclosed until their families have been informed. An investigation into the cause of the incident is currently underway.

Video footage shared on social media appears to capture the helicopter spiraling downward before it splashed into the river. Officials indicated that the helicopter lost control shortly after it made a turn at the George Washington Bridge while heading along the New Jersey shoreline.

What We Know About the Helicopter Crash: Emergency calls reporting the crash came in around 3:17 PM EDT (20:17 GMT), prompting an immediate launch of rescue boats, said New York Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker. "Rescue swimmers were in the water almost immediately after the call," he noted. Upon arrival, rescue teams began searching the waters for any victims or survivors and implemented "immediate life-saving measures," although their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Four victims were pronounced dead at the crash site, while the remaining two succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital.

The incident occurred near the West Side of Manhattan, specifically in the West Village neighborhood, known for its vibrant shops and restaurants, and situated close to the main campus of New York University. A BBC journalist present at the top of the World Trade Center during the crash observed approximately a dozen boats surrounding the crash location. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct the investigation concerning the crash of the Bell 206 helicopter.

The Bell 206 is frequently used by sightseeing companies, television news stations, and police departments. This incident marks one of the deadliest helicopter crashes in New York City since 2018, when a tourist helicopter went down in the East River, resulting in the drowning of all five passengers, with only the pilot surviving. In 2009, a helicopter carrying Italian tourists collided with a private plane over the Hudson River, claiming the lives of nine individuals.