A devastating helicopter crash in the Hudson River near Pier 40 in Manhattan claimed the lives of six people on Thursday afternoon, law enforcement officials confirmed.

The victims included the pilot, two adults, and three children, all of whom were reportedly tourists visiting from Spain.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) and Fire Department of New York (FDNY) responded to emergency calls around 3:00 p.m. ET, following reports of a helicopter crash off the Manhattan shoreline.

The incident was designated under FDNY Box 0352, with units from Marine 1 reporting that the aircraft was found inverted and submerged in the river, and three individuals were initially removed in traumatic cardiac arrest.

Dramatic video footage posted to social media captured the harrowing moment the aircraft impacted the water.

The helicopter, later identified as carrying six occupants, came to rest upside down, with its tail visible above the surface as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

Rescue operations were conducted near a maintenance pier connected to the Holland Tunnel ventilation system, where marine units and divers worked to retrieve victims from the wreckage.

The FDNY confirmed the deaths of all six individuals by early evening.

Authorities have not released the identities of the victims pending notification of next of kin, but sources familiar with the investigation say the family had recently arrived in New York on vacation.

In a statement, the NYPD warned of heavy emergency response and potential traffic disruptions in the area surrounding Pier 40. “Expect emergency vehicles and delays,” the department said in a public alert on X (formerly Twitter).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are now leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.

Investigators will analyze weather conditions, flight path data, maintenance logs, and cockpit communications to determine what led to the fatal incident.

The skies over New York City are regularly traversed by commercial, private, and tour helicopters, especially in lower Manhattan, where multiple helipads cater to tourists and business travelers alike. Thursday’s crash adds to a history of aviation tragedies in the region.

Notably, in 2009, a mid-air collision over the Hudson River between a small plane and a sightseeing helicopter resulted in nine fatalities, while in 2018, five people died when a charter helicopter offering “doors-off” aerial photography tours plunged into the East River.

As the investigation continues, officials are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or captured additional footage to contact authorities.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.