A horrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan has taken the lives of six people. Among them are three adult women and three adolescent girls. The helicopter, identified as a Bell 206, was operated by New York Helicopters and took off at approximately 2:59 PM ET on a routine flight. It reportedly lost control shortly before crashing into the water at around 3:15 PM.
Even the Bell 206, an extremely common model in commercial and government aviation. It took off north along the West Side Highway and the Hudson River, out towards the George Washington Bridge. After passing the bridge, the plane began to turn south for its landing, but tragedy came amid its approach toward the Holland Tunnel. Witnesses saw the helicopter crash upside down onto the water, causing it to quickly sink into the river.
New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams went on record to confirm the heartbreaking lives lost. He said his thoughts and prayers were with Baltimore’s families touched by this tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to the family of those who were onboard,” – Mayor Eric Adams.
The collision occurred in front of one of New York City’s most transit-rich metropolitan areas. The Hudson River acts as both a physical and political border between New York City and New Jersey. Then the crash site just exploded with activity. It was a troubling reminder of the dangers that are always posed by flying in heavily populated areas.
Kaz Daughtry, deputy mayor of New York City for public safety, noted the emotional impact of the event on witnesses.
“You could see the trauma on their faces,” – Kaz Daughtry.
The helicopter launched and we were in the air for maybe 15 minutes. Then it crashed raising all sorts of questions about what went wrong in the evolution of that flight. The New York City Police Department has initiated an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash. Jessica Tisch, New York City’s police commissioner, said that officials are investigating every angle of the incident.
The helicopter went into the water upside down,” she recalled. This important detail underscores the intensity of the crash and adds to the challenge of rescue operations.
First responders and emergency personnel rushed to the scene in record time. Their attempts were soon thwarted by the helicopter’s alarming, swift submergence. Search and recovery operations began right away, but divers were hampered by poor conditions in the river.
New York representative Grace Meng was devastated by the incident. She zeroed in on the personal, human impact of these tragedies in communities. She called for closely examining mistakes so that they don’t happen again.
The Hudson River has historically been a critical transportation corridor and scenic treasure for commuters, tourists and local citizen swimmers. Incidents such as this are a jarring reminder that threats often lurk in places we all too comfortably consider safe.
As investigations into the ongoing disaster continue, authorities are looking into the helicopter’s flight records. They’ll work to interview eyewitnesses to piece together what happened in the lead up to this epic failure. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will take an aggressive role in the investigation of this crash. They’ll work with local agencies to find out what truly happened that day.