Helicopter Crash in Hudson River

Introduction to the Incident

FDNY and NYPD drivers at the wreckage of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River on April 10, 2025.

Six people are dead, including three children, in a horrific helicopter crash into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, according to the NYPD.

Details of the Crash

The tragic incident occurred across from Pier 40 at West Houston and West Streets, closer to the New Jersey side of the river, FDNY officials said. The FDNY, including the department’s land marine units, and NYPD teams immediately responded to the scene, as did their counterparts from the Jersey City Fire and Police Departments.
Mayor Eric Adams said the craft was part of the tour company, New York Helicopters, and was carrying a family of five from Spain — two adults and three children — in addition to the pilot. “Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board,” the mayor said.

Response and Rescue Efforts

The remains of the helicopter which crashed in the Hudson River on April 10, 2025 is pulled from the water.
Photo by Dean Moses
A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025.
Photo by Dean Moses
NYPD divers, FDNY and other rescue teams entered the water upon arrival, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. NYPD divers pulled four people from the crash site; FDNY divers recovered the other two victims. “Immediate life-saving measures were undertaken on the vessels at the scene, as well as the adjoining pier,” Tisch said. “Four of the victims were pronounced dead on scene, and two more were removed to area hospitals where sadly both succumbed to their injuries.”

Investigation and Cause

Wreckage from the helicopter crash in the Hudson River on April 10, 2025.
Photo by Dean Moses
A crane is prepared to lift the main body of a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025.
Photo by Dean Moses
What appears to be footwear floating in the Hudson River following the helicopter crash on April 10, 2025.
Photo by Dean Moses
It is unclear how the helicopter, a Bell 206, crashed. But according to flight-tracking software, it took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. About 20 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft lost control an hit the water “just a few feet” off the coast Hoboken, Tisch said. New York Waterway, which operates ferries in the Hudson River, were involved in the search effort. Their service was operating with residual delays on Thursday evening.

Regulatory Concerns and Future Actions

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board said they would lead the investigation into the incident. It may take weeks to determine the cause of the crash.
In recent years, safety concerns have motivated New York City lawmakers and local residents fed up with flight noise to push for a ban on all “non-essential” helicopter flights emanating from city-owned heliports.
As amNewYork reported last April, the city’s 311 hotline received more than 59,000 complaints about helicopter noise in 2023, more than double the 26,000 recorded the year prior — an indication of a major surge in helicopter flights during the year.
Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
Manhattan state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who has been pushing for the non-essential flight ban, expressed condolences to the victims of Thursday’s crash, but said the incident served as a morbid reminder of the danger facing New Yorkers and others every day.

Conclusion

The helicopter crash in the Hudson River is a tragic incident that highlights the importance of safety regulations and measures to prevent such accidents. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and it is hoped that it will lead to improvements in helicopter safety and regulations.

FAQs

What happened in the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon?

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, resulting in the deaths of six people, including three children.

How many people were on board the helicopter?

There were six people on board the helicopter, including the pilot and a family of five from Spain.

What was the cause of the crash?

The cause of the crash is currently unclear and is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

What are the concerns about helicopter flights in New York City?

There are concerns about the safety and noise of helicopter flights in New York City, with some lawmakers and residents pushing for a ban on non-essential flights.

What is being done to improve helicopter safety?

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and it is hoped that it will lead to improvements in helicopter safety and regulations.