Authorities have confirmed that a family-of-five was killed after a helicopter crash in New York.
News broke (10 April) last night that a helicopter had crashed into New York's Hudson River at around 3.15pm local time. An extensive search and rescue took place in the area as authorities scrambled to work out if there were any survivors.
However, New York City Mayor Eric Adams later confirmed to reporters that all six individuals onboard, which included five passengers and a pilot, had died.
New York Police commissioner Jessica Tisch added that all six bodies had been recovered from the water, with four people pronounced dead at the scene while two others were transported to local hospitals.
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"Sadly both succumbed to their injuries," she added.
The family has now been identified as Spanish nationals, with AP confirming the victims are Siemens executive tech Agustín Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children, aged 4, 5 and 11.
It's understood the family had arrived in New York from Barcelona earlier that day.
Authorities are yet to confirm the identity of the pilot onboard the aircraft.
"Our hearts go out to the family," Adams said during a press conference.
"Again we’re praying for the families, and our gratitude to the rescuers and the courage that was displayed and their dedication."
US President Donald Trump has also released a statement regarding the crash, writing on Truth Social: "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."
The cause of the crash is yet to be confirmed, however, numerous witnesses reported seeing the helicopter 'falling apart' in midair, while video footage showed parts of the aircraft tumbling into the water.
Speaking to PA, one witness in New Jersey recalled hearing 'several gunshots in a row, almost, in the air' before looking out of her window to see parts of the helicopter 'splash in several pieces into the river'.
Officials have also confirmed the chopper was owned by New York Helicopters, with CEO Michael Roth telling the New York Post that he was 'absolutely devastated' by the news.
"The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter. And I haven’t seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business," he said.
"I have no clue. I don’t know. This is horrific. But you gotta remember something, these are machines and they break."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified the aircraft as a Bell 206 helicopter which had embarked on its sixth flight of the day (per ABC News).
An investigation into the crash will be conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board.
LADbible has contacted the NYPD and US Coast Guard for comment.
Topics: US News, World News
Brenna Cooper