Helicopter Crashes Into Hudson River Near Manhattan in Shocking Incident!
A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near New York City on the afternoon of April 10, causing panic and prompting a swift emergency response. The dramatic scene unfolded around 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time, with rescue boats quickly arriving near Jersey City as the helicopter sank into the water.
Witnesses Describe the Terrifying Moment
Eyewitnesses in the area say they heard what sounded like a “sonic boom,” followed by a shocking sight.
“I looked up and saw the helicopter Hudson splitting in two. The rotor flew off into the sky—it was moving so fast. Then it went straight into the water,” one witness shared.
Others described the scene as chaotic, with emergency crews rushing in as the helicopter lay upside down, mostly submerged in the river.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Videos shared on social media show multiple rescue boats circling the crash site. Fire department teams arrived quickly and began rescue operations near Hudson a long maintenance pier connected to one of the Holland Tunnel’s ventilation towers.
At this time, there has been no official word on how many people were on board or if there were any casualties. Emergency vehicles, including fire engines and ambulances, lined the streets near the riverbank, their lights flashing as responders worked against the clock.
A Busy Airspace With a Risky History
The skies over Manhattan are always filled with aircraft—whether it’s tourist helicopters offering scenic views or business flights ferrying executives around the city. The city has several Hudson helipads that connect New York to other parts of the metro area quickly and conveniently. But with that busy air traffic comes risk.
New York has seen several tragic air incidents over the years. One of the most devastating occurred in 2009, when a tourist helicopter collided with a small plane over the Hudson River. That crash killed nine people.
In 2018, another helicopter offering “open door” sightseeing tours crashed into the East River, killing five passengers.
A Troubling Year for Aviation in the U.S.
This latest crash comes during a particularly Hudson concerning stretch for aviation in the United States. Here are some of the serious incidents from just this year:
- January 29: A deadly collision between an American Airlines-owned plane and a military helicopter in Washington D.C. claimed the lives of all 67 people involved. It was the worst aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2001.
- January 31: Just two days later, a medical jet crashed near Philadelphia, killing all six people onboard.
- February 6: A plane carrying 10 people went missing over Alaska. The wreckage was later found, and sadly, there were no survivors.
- February 10: In Arizona, a private jet owned by musician Vince Neil collided with another plane at Scottsdale Airport. Fortunately, Neil was not onboard, and injuries were minimal.
- February 17: A Delta Air Lines flight with 80 passengers crashed and flipped upside down during landing in Toronto. Miraculously, everyone survived and was evacuated safely.
What’s Next?
As investigations continue into this most recent crash in the Hudson, questions remain: What caused the helicopter to split in mid-air? Were there mechanical failures or pilot error?
Authorities have yet to confirm any details, and updates are Hudson expected as the rescue and recovery operations continue.
For now, New Yorkers and aviation experts alike are holding their breath, hoping this frightening incident does not add to the growing list of aviation tragedies in 2024.
