Six people dead after helicopter crashes in New York's Hudson River

Authorities at the scene in Manhattan. Credit: AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

All six people on board a helicopter which crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday have died, authorities in New York have confirmed.

Three adults and three children were on board the helicopter and have all been recovered from the water. The victims are a pilot and a family visiting from Spain.

Four of the people were pronounced dead at the scene and two later died at the hospital, authorities added.

Video posted on social media shows parts of the helicopter falling into the river and the aircraft mostly submerged in the water upside down, with rescue boats circling in the water.

Eye witness Bruce Wall said he saw the helicopter "falling apart" in mid-air, with the tail and propeller coming off. The propeller was still spinning without the aircraft as it fell, he said.

First responders in New York where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River. Credit: AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz

The city's fire department received a report of a helicopter in the water at 3:17 pm (EST) on Thursday.

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

NYPD said people should expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas.

New York City's mayor, Eric Adams called the crash "heartbreaking" and "tragic" as he told people to avoid the area.

FlightRadar24 reported the aircraft to be a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, based on ADS-B tracking data.

The helicopter flew for about 16 minutes before going down into the water, according to analysis by CNN and flight tracking site FlightRadar 24.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it was investigating the situation alongside the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB is leading the investigation and will provide updates.

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