Six people dead in helicopter crash in Hudson River

Jeff Monheit, Associated Press, CNN,
A helicopter crashed Thursday into the Hudson River just off Manhattan.

A helicopter crashed Thursday into the Hudson River just off Manhattan.

NEW YORK – Authorities say a helicopter has crashed in the Hudson River off Manhattan. A source told the Associated Press that six people have died.

The NYPD posted on X, “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 fire department said it received a report of a helicopter in the water near at 3:17 p.m.

The crash happened in the river near Houston Street and the Holland Tunnel.

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

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

The skies over Manhattan are routinely filled with both planes and helicopters, both private recreational aircraft and commercial and tourist flights. Manhattan has several helipads that whisk business executives and others to destinations throughout the metropolitan area.

Over the years, there have been multiple crashes, including a collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson River in 2009 that killed nine people and the 2018 crash of a charter helicopter offering “open door” flights that went down into the East River, killing five people.