Helicopter Crashes Into Hudson River In NYC, 6 Reported Dead

NEW YORK CITY — A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Pier 40 and the West Side Highway Thursday afternoon, killing six people, officials confirmed.

The helicopter went down in the vicinity of the highway and Spring Street in Manhattan around 3:17 p.m., the NYPD said.

A pilot, two adults and three children were on board the helicopter. All six bodies have been recovered at this time.

Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, two others were transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead, officials said.

Five victims appear to be tourists who were visiting the city from Spain.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the chopper has been identified as a Bell 206 helicopter. It had taken off from the Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan, according to the mayor's office.

The helicopter departed the skyport at 2:59 p.m. and lost control after it turned at the George Washington Bridge making its way along the New Jersey shoreline, officials said

"We are praying for the families and show our gratitude to the rescuers," Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference Thursday evening.

A number of videos on social media captured the moments following the crash.

Witnesses near the scene described seeing the helicopter "fall from the sky" and they heard a loud boom before it crashed into the water.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

This is a breaking news story. This post will be updated.