Update - 7:29 p.m. Eastern
The NYT is reporting that officials have released the identities of the five passengers:
The five passengers killed were Agustín Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens, and his wife and three children, according to a senior law enforcement official. Another official confirmed that the Siemens executive and his family had been killed.
The updated report added that the family was taking a sightseeing excursion while visiting as tourists:
The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter, a local excursion company, said Michael Roth, the company’s chief executive. Roth said he did not know what had happened to the aircraft, which his company leased from its Louisiana-based owner.
“I have no information whatsoever,” Roth said when reached by phone in New Jersey. “I’m not there.”
The pilot, who was also killed, was not identified at the time of this writing.
Update - 6:07 p.m. Eastern
The New York Times now reports that New York City Mayor Eric Adams has shared more information on the victims and the location of the tragic helicopter crash:
At least three adults and three children — five of whom were members of a family of tourists from Spain — were pulled from the helicopter or from the frigid river and taken to hospitals in New Jersey, but none survived, Mayor Eric Adams said.
The helicopter went down in the river near a ventilation building above the Holland Tunnel at about 3:15 p.m.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement on the crash, which read: "Six innocent souls have lost their lives, and we pray for them and their families."
Update - 4:40 p.m. Eastern
The Associated Press is reporting that there were six people on board the helicopter at the time of the crash, and all six have died.
Original Story
Troubling news out of New York City Thursday afternoon as a helicopter has reportedly crashed into the Hudson River. Information regarding the nature of the crash and the status of those on board at the time remains scant, but here is what is being reported at the moment:
At least three people were killed when a helicopter crashed in the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan in New York City on Thursday afternoon, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
At least five people, including children, were on board, according to sources.
RELATED: Yet Another Plane Accident at DC's Reagan Airport, Several Congressmen Were Aboard Flights
One witness described the helicopter going down "at a 45-degree angle." Another described the "helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off."
Video purporting to be of the moment the helicopter went down (as well as of emergency efforts post-crash) has been posted on X.
Warning: Graphic
This is a developing story. RedState will provide further details as they become available.
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