THURSDAY April 10, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
Six people have died after a helicopter broke apart midair and plunged upside-down into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, in what has become the latest aviation disaster to grip the United States.
According to the New York Fire Department, the emergency call reporting the crash was received at 3:17 p.m. All six individuals onboard the aircraft were confirmed dead, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorised to speak publicly.
Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as the aircraft came apart above the water. Bruce Wall, one of those who saw the crash unfold, said he observed the helicopter “falling apart” in the air, with the tail and rotor separating from the body before impact. “The propeller was still spinning without the aircraft as it fell,” he added.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Bell 206, a widely used helicopter in both commercial and government operations. Originally designed for the U.S. Army, the Bell 206 has since been adapted for various civilian purposes, including sightseeing tours, television news coverage, and law enforcement missions. Thousands of the model have been manufactured since its inception.
The incident took place between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront, an area known for both heavy air traffic and waterway activity. The cause of the midair disintegration is yet to be determined, and investigations by aviation authorities are expected to commence immediately.
The crash adds to a growing list of high-profile helicopter accidents in the United States, raising fresh concerns about aerial safety, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
Authorities are expected to release further details as investigations progress and families of the victims are notified.
