A New York City sightseeing helicopter crashed Thursday afternoon into the Hudson River, killing six on board, including tourists from Spain.
The Bell 206 helicopter was operated by New York Helicopters, officials said at a news conference Thursday night.
Officials did not release the names or ages of the victims on board but said that the pilot, two adults and three children died in the crash. The family was visiting from Spain.
The fatal crash occurred just minutes after takeoff. The aircraft departed the Downtown Skyport at 2:59 p.m. By 3:17 p.m., multiple 911 calls were streaming in reporting that the helicopter had crashed into the Hudson, officials said.
The helicopter flew south after leaving the skyport before turning north to fly along the Manhattan shoreline, officials said. By 3:08 p.m., the aircraft had reached the George Washington Bridge and had turned south to fly along the New Jersey shoreline. That's when officials said the helicopter lost control and plunged into the waters.
Videos on social media show the helicopter breaking apart before falling out of the sky. It appears the rotor detached.
Divers recovered the bodies of the six victims.
New York Helicopters offers helicopter tours departing from Manhattan and New Jersey, including tours of the city's iconic landmarks, Central Park and skyline. The company also offers helicopter charters to commuters who will pay to avoid New York's road traffic and public transportation.