A helicopter crashed this Thursday in the Hudson River, in New York, leaving six dead, according to the city's Police Department, which reported this via its social media.
On board was a family of Spanish tourists made up of the parents and three children, along with the pilot, according to the network ABC7.
An shocking video showed the moment the helicopter plunged at full speed into the river.
The accident occurred around 3:15 p.m. (local time), near West Side Highway and Spring Street. At the time of the incident, it was raining and the weather conditions were unfavorable.
Emergency teams arrived at the scene immediately, and the police warned of possible traffic delays in the area.
According to the NBC4 network, which cites police sources, four people were initially rescued from the water and taken to a hospital in New Jersey.
However, later it was confirmed that all six occupants of the helicopter had died.
Several witnesses reported on social media hearing a "loud muffled noise" at the moment of the impact and observed what appeared to be a broken propeller.
The device remained floating in the Hudson, near the vents of the Holland Tunnel, in the vicinity of Jersey City.
When the emergency teams arrived, the helicopter was upside down in the water.
The FAA believes the helicopter is a Bell 206 and appears to have taken off from the helipad in downtown Manhattan at 2:59 p.m. It disappeared from radar at 3:25 p.m.
A witness told Eyewitness News that they saw the helicopter accident: "I heard a loud snap... I looked over there... and saw a helicopter flip over and fall into the water," the witness said. "I didn't see anyone come out," they added.
Dani Horbiack told ABC News that he saw the helicopter "falling from the sky" from the window of his apartment.
"I heard five or six loud noises that sounded almost like gunshots in the sky and I saw pieces fall, then I saw it fall into the river," said Horbiack.
The Coast Guard stated that it has halted boat traffic in the area and is among the agencies responding.
At least 32 people have died in helicopter accidents in New York since 1977, according to U.S. media reports.
The most recent incident occurred in 2019, when a helicopter used for executive travel crashed into the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper in restricted airspace, resulting in the pilot's death.
The Hudson River, one of the busiest navigation channels in the region, was also the setting for the famous "Miracle on the Hudson" in 2009, when a US Airways plane successfully landed on the water, saving the 155 people on board.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Frequently Asked Questions About the Helicopter Accident in the Hudson River
How many people died in the helicopter accident in the Hudson River?
Six people died in the helicopter accident in the Hudson River, including a family of five Spanish tourists and the pilot.
Who were the victims of the helicopter accident in New York?
The victims of the accident were a Spanish family consisting of Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children, as well as the helicopter pilot.
What were the possible causes of the helicopter accident in the Hudson River?
Although the causes of the accident have not yet been confirmed, hypotheses such as a mechanical failure or a collision with a large bird are being considered, according to statements from the executive director of New York Helicopter Tours.
What measures are being taken following the helicopter accident in New York?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun a formal investigation to clarify the causes of the accident. Additionally, the Coast Guard has halted boat traffic in the area of the accident.
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