A helicopter that was carrying a family during a tourist ride on the Manhattan coast fell in New Jersey on Thursday, leaving four dead.
Spectators watched the helicopter plummeting and falling into the river as floating wreckage fell into the water.
The victims included Agustín Escobar, executive of Siemens, and their family, according to a police authority. The family was visiting Spain, New York mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference on Thursday.
A CNN Contact the New York Police Department and the US coastal guard for more information about the victims.
Although he doesn’t know much about the reason for the helicopter fall, his impressive descent shocked witnesses while the rescuers did their best to rescue the victims.
Several emergency calls have reported a helicopter fall on the Hudson River near the New Jersey coast at Pier A Park in Hoboken, New York Police Department commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
When the rescuers arrived, the police removed four people from the water and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) rescued two, she said.
Four victims were declared killed at the scene and two others were taken to local hospitals, Tisch said. Two children were taken to the Jersey City medical center before being declared dead, said Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop in X.
“Our hearts are with the family of those who were on board”
Eric Adams, Mayor of New York
President Donald Trump also sent his condolences through a publication on the social truth, saying “God bless the families and friends of the victims” and that transport secretary Sean Duffy was investigating the incident.
The helicopter, operated by the tour company New York Helicopter Charter, is currently submerged in Rio.
“The only thing I can say is that we are devastated,” said Michael Roth, CEO of the New York Helicopter Charter Inc. CNN on the night of Thursday.
“I am a father, grandfather and my wife has not stop crying since this afternoon,” he added. Asked about maintaining the helicopter, Roth replied, “It’s my maintenance director who takes care of it.”
The company’s maintenance director declined to comment. Maintenance records are not public and NTSB limits what companies can say publicly during an investigation.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the incident “an unimaginable tragedy” in an X publication.
“I share the pain of the loved ones from the victims at this time to break the heart,” he said.
*Update
