Who was on the helicopter that crashed in the Hudson River? Everything we know about possible survivors of Bell 206L-4
Another traffic aviation tragedy occurred on Thursday when a helicopter carrying six people broke apart in midair before plummeting into the Hudson River.
New York City residents walking along the Hudson River witnessed the moment a single-engine Bell helicopter fell out of the sky after breaking apart midair. Bystanders described the sound “like gunshots” and a “sonic boom” drawing their attention to the propeller and tail separating from the cabin which crashed into the Hudson River.
Emergency crews rushed to block boat traffic while rescuers tried to save those onboard. According to authorities all six people on the chopper were killed. They included the pilot, two adults and three children.
Family of Spanish tourists were onboard the Bell 206L-4
Law enforcement say that the passengers on the Bell 206L-4 helicopter were members of a family on holiday from Spain. This type of helicopter is a common sight in the skies over New York City, used often for corporate transport and aerial sightseeing tours of the Big Apple.
The helicopter crashed near the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, west of Manhattan Island around 3:17 pm according to authorities. When rescuers arrived on the scene the helicopter was floating upside down in the water.
This is not the first aviation tragedy of its kind in New York City
The tragedy that unfolded on Thursday is not the first time there has been fatalities associated with an aerial sightseeing tour. In 2009, nine people died when a sightseeing helicopter collided with a small plane over the Hudson. There were five fatalities when chartered “doors-off” flight plunged into the East River in 2018.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.