Bell 206 helicopter crashes into Hudson: Details of deadly accident in New York
The crash site of the Bell 206 helicopter in the Hudson in New York (Photo: screenshot from video)
In New York (US), six people died after a Bell 206 helicopter crashed into the Hudson River. The aircraft disintegrated in mid-air and fell upside down, according to the Associated Press.
The New York Fire Department reported that information about the aviation accident, which occurred between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront, was received on Thursday at 3:17 p.m. local time (around 9:00 p.m. Kyiv time).
Witnesses to the tragedy and law enforcement officials told Western media that the helicopter exploded in the air and fell upside down into the Hudson River, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board.
"The official was not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity," the AP report states.
Witness Bruce Wall shared that he saw the helicopter disintegrate in mid-air, with the tail section and propeller detaching.
Social media footage showed parts of the helicopter falling into the water, while the overturned fuselage submerged in the river. During this time, rescue boats were seen circling the helicopter.
Six people were killed Thursday when a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan, authorities told ABC News. https://t.co/uZkWVvuDIt pic.twitter.com/Iz92x4aVjj
— ABC News (@ABC) April 10, 2025
The FDNY said at least four people were aboard the helicopter.
— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) April 10, 2025
According to the New York Post, three of the six people who died in the helicopter crash in the Hudson River in New York were children.
BREAKING: A helicopter crashed in the Hudson River near New York City on Thursday afternoon, and fatalities have been reported, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
— ABC News (@ABC) April 10, 2025
At least four people were on board, according to fire officials. https://t.co/Ddfy1Z72Jb pic.twitter.com/zoSGmftgDX
Live video of the Helicopter crash in New York City, plunging directly into the Hudson river around 3pm.
— Just Lookin (@JustLookingMon) April 10, 2025
NYPD are on scene near West Side Highway & Spring Street, expect severe emergency & traffic delays. #NYC #Crash #Breaking #newspic.twitter.com/nZONeJB5Qk
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the helicopter as a Bell 206. Together with the National Transportation Safety Board, the agency planned to conduct an investigation into the aviation accident.
The crash site of the helicopter in the Hudson River in New York (photo: x.com/nypost)
For reference: The Bell 206 is a family of light, two-bladed, single- and twin-engine multipurpose helicopters. They were manufactured by Bell Helicopter at the Mirabel plant in Quebec, Canada. The Bell 206 helicopter first took flight in 1966.
The Bell 206 Jetranger helicopter of the Los Angeles Police Department (photo: LAPD / wikipedia.org)
Other aviation accidents in the US in 2025
At the end of January, a medical transport plane crashed on the outskirts of Philadelphia, resulting in the deaths of seven people.
Shortly before that, a passenger Bombardier CRJ700 plane collided with a military UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Washington. Following the collision, the wreckage of both aircraft fell into the river.
As reported, the crash resulted in 67 fatalities - 60 passengers and 4 crew members of the civilian aircraft, as well as three military personnel aboard the helicopter.
