Helicopter Crashes Into Hudson River Outside New York City

CBS News reported that the helicopter crashed at about 3:15 p.m. EDT near Jersey City, New Jersey. Six passengers were on board—including three children. Adams told the media that a family from Spain was among the passengers.

Emergency teams assembled on both sides of the river as the news spread. WNBC-TV in New York reported that the helicopter initially appeared to be upside down in the water before sinking.

Multiple outlets report that the Bell 206 helicopter had six people, including three children and an executive from Siemens, a global technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. It departed from a heliport in Manhattan and circled the Statue of Liberty before continuing north along the Hudson River toward the George Washington Bridge and then turning south. It crashed about 16 minutes after takeoff.

Witnesses told WNBC-TV that components of the helicopter fell off before it struck the water.

The FAA has announced on X: “A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City. The number of people on board is unknown at this time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The @NTSB will lead the investigation and provide any updates.”

The NTSB announced its next steps on X later Thursday night: "The NTSB is launching a go-team to investigate Thursday’s crash of a Bell 206 L-4 helicopter near Jersey City, New Jersey. Chairman Jennifer Homendy will serve as spokesperson on scene. The team is expected to arrive tonight."