6 people killed when helicopter broke apart above New York river

Share and Follow

Facebook X Reddit Pinterest

Six people have been killed after a helicopter crashed into New York City’s Hudson River this morning.

The fire department said it received a report of a helicopter in the water at 3.17 pm local time (5.17 am Friday AEST).

Videos posted on social media showed the aircraft mostly submerged, upside down in the water.

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City. (9News)

Hudson River helicopter crash. — Children have been reported on board. (WCBS/WLNY via CNN)

Witness Bruce Wall said he saw the helicopter “falling apart” in midair, with the tail and propeller coming off.

The propeller was still spinning without the aircraft as it fell, he said.

9News has now confirmed all six people in the helicopter were killed in the crash.

Aboard the aircraft was a family of five, including three children, and the pilot.

The helicopter appeared to “fall apart” midair, one witness said. (9News)

A New York Fire Department Marine 1 boat departs from Pier 40, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in New York, across from where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River in Jersey City, N.J. (AP)

The family were visiting the US from Spain.

The fire department said it had units on scene performing rescue operations.

Multiple rescue boats were seen on video circling the aircraft.

First responders walk along Pier 40, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in New York, across from where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River in Jersey City, N.J. (AP)

The rescue craft were near a site close to the Manhattan waterfront, near the end of a long maintenance pier for one of the ventilation towers for the Holland Tunnel.

“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 NYPD said in a social media post.

FlightRadar24 reported the aircraft to be a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, based on ADS-B tracking data.

HUDSON RIVER CHOPPER APRIL 11 — At least five people were on board, including two adults and three children, according to the NYPD. (CNN)

The helicopter flew for about 16 minutes before going down into the water, according to analysis by CNN and FlightRadar24.

The flight path shows the aircraft took off from lower Manhattan and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1000 feet (305 metres). At that point it turned back south, ultimately coming to rest in the water near New Jersey.

The path up the Hudson is a popular sightseeing route.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the situation alongside the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB is leading the investigation and will provide updates.

“A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City,” the FAA said in a statement.

“The number of people on board is unknown at this time.”