Helicopter crashes into Hudson river near Manhattan, wreckage floats on water

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Manhattan on Thursday with eye witnesses recording remains of the helicopter falling into the waters. Rescue crews reached the site and there has been no confirmed words on survivors. Early reports indicated that at least one person is feared dead and the helicopter split in half upon impact. Terrifying videos appeared on social media showing how the helicopter disintegrated mid-air and its parts plunged into the waters. According to fire officials, the chopper went down near Pier 40 on West Houston Street and West Street around 3:15 p.m (ET).

Witnesses on social media described a “loud thumping noise” when the helicopter crashed, with what appeared to be a broken propeller.




Fire officials said there were at least four people on board.

Flightradar 24 which monitors air traffic real time said the aircraft involved is likely to be N216MH, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV. "We’re following reports of a helicopter crash in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey. At this time, based on ADS-B data and the location of SAR activity, we believe the aircraft involved to be N216MH, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV," it posted.



It is not yet known how the chopper crashed mid-air but a particular video emerged on X showing the helicopter flying just before the crash. It was seen moving all over the place and into the fog.

"I think we've got a very difficult situation being faced," Peter Goelz, an aviation analyst, told CNN as a number of boats were seen carrying out a rescue effort in the river. "It is extraordinarily difficult to find things in the water...the water is very cloudy in the Hudson, it's full of silt," Goelz said. "With an accident such as this, it will stir up more silt from the bottom." "It's very cold, they don't have divers on standby, so they're going to have to mobilize divers who will take some time to get there. It doesn't look, from these live shots, they know approximately where it is, but I'm not sure they don't know exactly where it is."

The helicopter crash took place just hours after two American Airlines jet carrying members of Congress bumped wings at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington.