Six Dead in Hudson River Helicopter Crash: Mayor Adams, Top NYC Officials Brief Media on Tragic Incident
In a somber press briefing Thursday evening at Pier 40, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the deaths of six people—three adults and three children—after a Bell 206 helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Hoboken. The aircraft, operated by New York Helicopters, had taken off at 2:59 p.m. from Manhattan’s downtown heliport and crashed just after 3:08 p.m.
Mayor Adams, flanked by FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol, described a swift and coordinated emergency response involving FDNY, NYPD, the U.S. Coast Guard, Port Authority, FAA, and the NTSB, as well as partner agencies from New Jersey.
Divers from the FDNY and NYPD recovered all six individuals from the water. Despite life-saving efforts on-site and at local hospitals, all six were later pronounced deceased. The victims included a visiting family from Spain and their pilot.
FDNY and NYPD leadership emphasized the rapid response and interagency cooperation. The NTSB and FBI are now leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. The helicopter reportedly became inverted before impact, with only the cabin briefly visible above the waterline.
transcript:
Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry, Public Safety: Good evening, everyone, I’m joined here today with Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor for Administration Camille Joseph Varlack, Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and the Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol.
We are here on the scene at Pier 40 on the West Side of Manhattan. Earlier today, a passenger helicopter crashed into the Hudson River. Our response was swift and coordinated.
We have the FDNY, NYPD, The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner here on the scene, assisting with rescue efforts. The New York City Office of Emergency Management was coordinating efforts on ground with our public safety agencies.
As our state and federal partners, including the FAA, the Port Authority, United States Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, and our partner agencies in New Jersey.
When an emergency like this happens and strikes, this team responds with expert speed and professionalism. I want to thank all of our brave first responders for assisting in the rescue efforts and the ongoing investigation into this tragedy. For more information, I would like to turn it over to Mayor Eric Adams.
Mayor Eric Adams: Thanks so much, D.M. Daughtry, our hearts go out to the family of those who are on board and all six who were on board of the helicopter, it’s almost reminiscent of the plane going down here on the Hudson River, but thank God we didn’t lose any lives back then.
We are still fresh and still new, the investigation is ongoing, and we have the entire family members, we’re lifting them up in prayer. Here’s what we know at this time, at approximately 3:17 this afternoon, we began receiving multiple calls for a helicopter that crashed in the water.
These calls generated the response of many agencies, as Deputy Mayor Daughtry stated, including FDNY, NYPD, the Port Authority, and our Jersey partners, the police officers in Jersey as well, and the Coast Guard. Three adults and three children were on board a Bell 206 helicopter that had left from the downtown Skyport [at] just about 3 p.m. The pilot and the family visiting from Spain with our preliminary information as at this time.
Members of the FDNY and NYPD harbor units arrived at the scene, and divers from both agencies entered the water. At this time, all six victims have been removed from the water, and sadly, all six victims have been pronounced deceased.
Again, we’re praying for the families and our gratitude to the rescuers and the courage that was displayed in their dedication. I will now turn it over to the fire commissioner, Commissioner Tucker.
Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good afternoon, everyone. As the mayor said, at approximately 3:15 this afternoon, numerous calls were received for a helicopter crash in the Hudson River.
We have FDNY assets right up the road here, and we launched our boats immediately. This operation was a joint operation between the FDNY and the NYPD. Our rescue swimmers were in the water shortly after the call and recovered some of the victims.
We worked very closely with the NYPD divers on this and I think this tragic day does indicate just how the spirit of cooperation between the NYPD and the FDNY is alive on the streets and in the water. So, thank you very much.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch: Good afternoon. The mayor covered most of it, but perhaps I have a few details to add here. Obviously, this is an ongoing investigation and all information that will provide is preliminary and subject to change. At approximately 3:17 this afternoon, multiple 911 calls started coming in reporting a helicopter crash in the Hudson River near the New Jersey coastline off the coast of River Drive in Hoboken.
NYPD units from Aviation, Harbor, Scuba, and Patrol all responded with our first units arriving at the site within minutes. Our NYPD divers entered the water along with rescue personnel from FDNY, Port Authority, and various New Jersey agencies.
According to the manifest, aboard the helicopter were six people. One pilot, two adults, and three children. NYPD divers pulled four people from the crash site and FDNY divers recovered an additional two. Immediate life-saving measures were undertaken on the vessels at the scene as well as the adjoining pier.
Four victims were pronounced dead on scene and two more were removed to local area hospitals where sadly both succumbed to their injuries. Names are being withheld at this time pending family notification. Here is what we know about the flight and this is based on flight tracking software.
A Bell 206 helicopter flying for the tour company New York Helicopters took off from the downtown Manhattan heliport at 2:59 p.m. The aircraft flew south before turning to fly north along the Manhattan shoreline up the Hudson River. At 3:08 p.m. the helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge and then turned again to fly south along the New Jersey shoreline. Shortly thereafter the aircraft lost control and hit the water just a few feet off the coast of Pier A Park in Hoboken. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Adams: We don’t have that information at this time and we’re holding it to a complete investigation.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Police Commissioner Tisch: The helicopter hit the water we believe inverted and it was the cabin piece that was visible above the water.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Adams: No– still [a] preliminary investigation.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Adams: This still you know… as you see this is fresh, all this is preliminary and we’re going to look into that.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Fire Commissioner Tucker: Yeah I think the entire incident is under investigation by the NTSB and the FBI and obviously local authorities as well.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Police Commissioner Tisch: It’s consistent with 911 calls and witness reports.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Adams: Still an investigation and we want to be cautious about releasing any information until we know.
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April 10, 2025
