A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Manhattan on Thursday killing at least six people, according to reports. The horrifying crash, which is the latest in a string of mid-air mishaps United States registered in the last few months, was caught on camera as eye witnesses recorded how the remains of the helicopter falling into the waters.
The helicopter crashed mid air and split in half upon impact. Terrifying videos appeared on social media showing how the helicopter disintegrated mid-air and its parts plunged into the waters. According to fire officials, the chopper went down near Pier 40 on West Houston Street and West Street around 3:15 p.m (ET).
Witnesses on social media described a “loud thumping noise” when the helicopter crashed, with what appeared to be a broken propeller.
Fire officials said there were at least four people on board.
Flightradar 24 which monitors air traffic real time said the aircraft involved is likely to be N216MH, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV. “We’re following reports of a helicopter crash in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey. At this time, based on ADS-B data and the location of SAR activity, we believe the aircraft involved to be N216MH, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV,” it posted.
It is not yet known how the chopper crashed mid-air but a particular video emerged on X showing the helicopter flying just before the crash. It was seen moving all over the place and into the fog.
US President Donald Trump reacted to the incident, saying what led to the mishap would soon be made known to the public and called the footage of the accident horrendous.
“Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!” Trump wrote on his social media platform, TruthSocial.
“I think we’ve got a very difficult situation being faced,” Peter Goelz, an aviation analyst, told CNN as a number of boats were seen carrying out a rescue effort in the river. “It is extraordinarily difficult to find things in the water…the water is very cloudy in the Hudson, it’s full of silt,” Goelz said. “With an accident such as this, it will stir up more silt from the bottom.” “It’s very cold, they don’t have divers on standby, so they’re going to have to mobilize divers who will take some time to get there. It doesn’t look, from these live shots, they know approximately where it is, but I’m not sure they don’t know exactly where it is.”
The helicopter crash took place just hours after two American Airlines jet carrying members of Congress bumped wings at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington.
