In a heartbreaking turn of events, a helicopter carrying tourists plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, claiming the lives of six people, including three children.
The accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on the Hudson River, closer to the Garden State side, just between New York City and New Jersey.
This tragedy has left the community in shock, as some of the survivors remain in critical condition in the hospital.
The Horrific Crash
Eyewitnesses described the moment of impact in vivid detail. One witness, still in disbelief, recalled hearing what sounded like a “sonic boom” before seeing the helicopter break apart mid-air.
“I looked up and literally just see a helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off into the sky,” the witness shared with ABC affiliate WABC.
The aircraft then plummeted into the water at a high speed, a scene the witness described as something they had never seen before.
The victims, a family of five from Spain and the pilot, were aboard the helicopter at the time.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the crash, and while some passengers survived, they are in critical condition and being treated in nearby hospitals.
A Series of Tragic Air Accidents
This crash marks the latest in a string of deadly helicopter accidents in the New York City area over the past several years.
In 2018, a helicopter offering “open-door” sightseeing flights tragically crashed into the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, killing five passengers.
Another devastating incident occurred in 2009 when a tourist helicopter collided with a plane over the Hudson River, resulting in nine fatalities.
Revisiting a Harrowing 2018 Crash Video
In the wake of Thursday’s crash, a video transcript from a 2018 helicopter disaster has resurfaced, adding to the sorrow.
The transcript was originally released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and shows passengers trapped in their harnesses, struggling to escape as the helicopter rapidly sank into the East River.
One passenger can be heard desperately asking, “How do I cut this?” just moments before the aircraft became fully submerged.
The footage, taken from a GoPro camera mounted inside the cabin, paints a haunting picture of the passengers’ final moments.
Federal Agencies Investigate the Latest Incident
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that the helicopter involved in Thursday’s crash was a Bell 206.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are actively investigating the cause of the crash.
Witnesses and officials are working together to piece together what happened in the moments leading up to the tragic event.
Witnesses Recount the Shocking Moment of Impact
Another witness who was nearby at the time of the crash described hearing a loud “sonic boom” before looking up to see the helicopter breaking apart mid-air.
“It was going so fast, and it just went straight into the water. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,” the witness said.
Disturbing footage of the crash and subsequent rescue efforts has surfaced, showing the aftermath of the disaster.
The Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Investigation
As authorities continue to assess the scene, the death toll has risen to six, including the three children aboard the ill-fated flight.
Images from the scene show the helicopter nearly submerged in the river, adding to the devastation of this tragedy.
The community is now left grappling with the loss of life and the haunting memories of yet another aviation disaster in the Big Apple.
