New details were revealed about the final moments of a helicopter jumping into the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey on Thursday afternoon.
According to Michael Ross, CEO of New York Helicopter Tour, who runs the helicopter, the pilot of the fateful aircraft is reportedly radio about refueling a few minutes before the helicopter hits the cold sea.
“[The pilot] He landed, needed fuel and was supposed to take about three minutes to arrive, but was called to not arrive after 20 minutes. I told the telegraph.
All six, including five members of the same family, did not survive.
Six deaths, including three children, after the Hudson River helicopter plummet
A helicopter can be seen floating after crashing into the Hudson River near Manhattan in New York City on April 10, 2025. All six people on board were killed in the collision. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“The only thing I know from watching the video of a helicopter falling is that the main rotor blade wasn't in the helicopter,” Ross said. I told the New York Post. “I have never seen anything like that in the business, helicopter business for 30 years. The only thing I can guess is I can't get a clue – it's a bird strike or a failed rotor blade.
The five passengers are identified as Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, global manager of the energy technology company and three young children, Merce Campulvimontal. According to the Associated Press.
The pilot's identity had not been released as of Friday morning.
Photos posted on the helicopter operator's website showed the family smiling at the moment on the plane before taking off.
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File photos of victims of a helicopter crash in New York City on Thursday, April 10th, 2025. The five families killed in the tragedy include Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Campulvi Montal, global manager of the Energy Technology Company, and three children. The pilot was also killed. (New York Helicopter Tour, LLC)
The family took a helicopter ride before crashing into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday, April 10th, 2025. (New York Helicopter Tour, LLC)
The flight departed the Downtown Manhattan Heliport around 3pm and aired for about 18 minutes. Video of the crash bystander shows the aircraft's rotors separate from the cabin as they rapidly descend into the air before hitting the water near Jersey City.
Authorities began receiving 911 calls about crashing helicopters on the Hudson River around 3:17pm, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tish said at a press conference Thursday. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter spin out of control before landing in the water.
New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that his family was visiting from Spain and added that it was “courtly” that a family traveling to the city was a victim of such a tragic accident.
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A timeline showing the events of the unfortunate helicopters that carried five tourists and pilots when the aircraft crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, April 10th, 2025. (Fox News)
“There were over 65 million people who visited our city last year. You're on vacation, you're with your family, you want to experience New York from the sky, and something like this happens.
Emergency personnel arrived at the scene within minutes, including divers from the New York City Fire Station (FDNY) and the New York City Police Station (NYPD). According to Tisch, the NYPD driver pulled four people out of the wreckage, but FDNY recovered two additional people.
The first responders attempted life-saving efforts at the adjacent pier, but four were declared dead at the scene, while others were declared dead at the local hospital.
According to Fox weather, the Hudson River temperature was in the mid-40s at the time of the crash.
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The crane container lifts the remains of a helicopter that hit the Hudson River on Thursday, April 10, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
“The Coast Guard and the Army, together with local partners, continue to support the NTSB in ongoing investigation and wreckage recovery efforts,” the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement.
The helicopter was recovered several hours later, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.
The incident occurred within a mile of Manhattan and near a tunnel in the Netherlands. There, 15.8 million vehicles travel across New York City and New Jersey annually. Immediately after the crash, the Coast Guard carried out a safety zone around the Dutch Tunnel and the Hudson River. This was valid until 10pm on Thursday.
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The Ross and New York helicopter tour did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
The incident was the first helicopter crash the city has seen since 2019 after an aircraft struck the roof of a skyscraper and killed a pilot.
“Our hearts are directed at the families of those on board,” Adams said. “It almost reminds me of the fact that there is a plane here on the Hudson River. We thank God that we didn't lose our lives back then. It's still fresh and new, and the investigation is ongoing.
Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
