Local News
Video Captures Harrowing Moments of Helicopter Crash into Hudson River Near Pier 40 in Manhattan
Six people have died in a helicopter crash in the Hudson River in New York City.
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. โExpect emergency vehicles and delays,โ 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. Thursdayโs 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 โdoors-offโ 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.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. โ A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas โTJโ Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting โpedophile protectorโ at the former president, an apparent reference to the administrationโs handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
โAs far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,โ Sabula told The Post. โBut I am concerned about my job. I believe Iโve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.โ
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is โa father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,โ and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses โduring this time of uncertainty.โ Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabulaโs actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.