A tragic event unfolded on the Hudson River on Thursday as a tourist helicopter crashed, resulting in the loss of six lives [[1]]. This article dives into the details of this heartbreaking event, providing eyewitness accounts and insights into the emergency response, including the unfortunate details of the Hudson River helicopter crash [[3]]. Read on for a complete overview of the incident and its aftermath.
Tourist helicopter Crashes in Hudson River, Killing Six
A sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday, claiming the lives of all six people on board. the incident occurred between Manhattan and the new Jersey coastline, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Published: April 11,2025
Tragic Accident Details
Shortly after 3 p.m. local time (9 p.m. CET), the helicopter crashed into the river that separates New York from New Jersey. Images captured by local television showed the aircraft rapidly descending into the water near Manhattan.
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the press, stating, The six victims were removed from water. Unluckily, the six were declared dead.
He confirmed that the passengers included a family of Spanish tourists and the pilot.
The flight originated from a helipad in the city centre around 3 p.m., according to Mayor Adams. Recovery efforts were promptly launched to retrieve the victims’ bodies from the water.
Victim Identification
Among the deceased was Agustín E., a director at Siemens Spain, along with his family, according to local press reports citing police sources. Agustín E. had recently been appointed to lead the Railway Mobility Division at Siemens in December, following two years as CEO of Siemens Spain.
While the Spanish embassy in the United States acknowledged the deaths of five Spanish nationals, they refrained from providing specific details.
Eyewitness Accounts and Initial Observations
Witnesses reported seeing parts of the helicopter detach mid-flight. Bruce Wall described the helicopter as crumbling
in the air, noting that the tail and propeller separated. He added that the propeller continued to spin as it fell independently of the aircraft.
Lesly Camacho, a receptionist at a restaurant near the river in Hoboken, New Jersey, recounted seeing the helicopter spinning uncontrollably before it crashed into the water. A lot of smoke came out. He turned very fast and landed in the water very strongly,
Camacho stated in a telephone interview.
Social media footage captured debris falling into the water and the overturned aircraft submerged, with rescue boats converging on the scene. Another witness told NBC4 that the helicopter lost its propeller before the crash.
At the time of the incident, the sky was overcast, but visibility on the river was not considerably impaired. Rescue teams faced challenging conditions with water temperatures around 7°C (44.6°F).
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Emergency units from both New York and New Jersey, including firefighters, were dispatched to the crash site.
The New York Police Department issued a statement, Due to a helicopter accident on the Hudson River, in the immediate vicinity of the West Side highway and spring Street, emergency vehicles and delays in transit in the surrounding areas are foreseen.
A fire department spokesperson confirmed that they received a call at approximately 3:17 p.m. reporting a helicopter in the water.
Hudson River Air Traffic
The Hudson River is a common route for both vessels and aircraft. Several helipads are located along the Hudson and East Rivers surrounding Manhattan, facilitating daily business and tourism helicopter operations.
these aerial tours, offering views of landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, are popular among tourists.
