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By Anna Commander
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A family of five including two adults and three children, reportedly visiting New York City from Spain, were among six people killed when the helicopter they were riding in crashed into the Hudson River.
Hudson River Helicopter Crash: What We Know
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed the crash in a post to X, formerly Twitter: "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."
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NYC Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday said "the team" is on the scene, adding that "@FDNY and @NYPDnews are assisting first responders closer to the New Jersey side of the river. Please avoid the area near Pier 40 in Manhattan in the meantime."
The mayor said in a news conference that officials first received reports of the crash around 3:17 p.m. The Associated Press (AP) reports that the helicopter fell apart "midair," then crashed into the river "upside-down."
At the time of the crash, skies were overcast and the Hudson was 45 degrees, the AP notes.
Who Was Aboard the Helicopter?
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Diolanda Caballero told Newsweek via email that the helicopter was carrying three adults and three children.
According to New York ABC News reporter Janice Yu, law enforcement sources said a pilot, two adults and three children were on board. Law enforcement also confirmed "the family members were tourists from Spain," Yu's post on X said.
In the news conference, Adams also said preliminary information indicates the family and the pilot were all from Spain. The names are being withheld until family is notified, officials said in the news conference.
Citing law enforcement sources, ABC News later identified the deadly crash victims as Agustin Escobar and wife Merce Camprubi Montal, along with their children ages 4, 5 and 11. Escobar was an executive at Siemens, a European automation company, and the helicopter pilot, unidentified at the time of publication, was 36 years old, ABC added.
What Is a Bell 206 Helicopter?
A Bell 206 helicopter is a two-bladed aircraft with a single or double engine, according to Aero Corner.
In an emailed statement to Newsweek, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said: "A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City. The number of people on board is unknown at this time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide any updates."
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What People Are Saying
Alina Habba, interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, posted to X on Thursday: "🚨Actively monitoring the helicopter crash in the Hudson River. I have instructed my federal officials to assist with anything requested or necessary to get to the bottom of what happened. Pray for the lives lost."
Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey posted to X on Thursday: "Heartbroken for the victims of the helicopter crash in the Hudson River. My office is closely monitoring this situation and has been in touch with local and federal authorities. I'm grateful for the swift action by emergency responders."
New York Attorney General Letitia James also posted to X on Thursday: "This helicopter crash in the Hudson River is heartbreaking. I'm praying for those who were on board, and my heart is with the loved ones of those we lost today."
Update 4/10/25, 9:33 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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