Tragedy is latest in a series of NYC crashes

New York City has seen multiple helicopter crashes in recent years.

In 2009, a plane and tourist helicopter collided over the Hudson River killing nine people.

A charter helicopter offering "open door" flights over the East River crashed in 2018. Five people were killed.

Trump reacts to deadly helicopter crash

President Donald Trump reacted on social media after six people died when a helicopter broke apart in midair and crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon.

The president posted on Truth Social, "Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us.

"The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims.

"Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!"

Jersey City Mayor says helicopter tours over busy area are constant

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said that helicopter tours over the busy and heavily trafficked New York City area are constant.

"Hopefully this brings some more attention to it, that the fact beyond just noise, you have real safety concerns," Fulop told ABC 7.

The skies over Manhattan are routinely filled with planes and helicopters with a mix of commercial, private and tourist flights.

Spanish Consulate working with NYC officials to identify victims

The Spanish Consulate of New York City is working with city officials to identify the family killed in the helicopter crash.

A family of five, two adults and three children, were visiting NYC from Spain when their chopper crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday. All five, and the pilot were killed.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry said that the consulate is in touch with New York City officials to gather and confirm information about the victims.

WATCH: NYC Mayor Eric Adams confirms 6 dead in Hudson River helicopter crash

Hudson River helicopter crash NYC victims: Who was on board?

A family of five including two adults and three children, reportedly visiting New York City from Spain, were among six people killed when the helicopter they were riding in crashed into the Hudson River.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Diolanda Caballero told Newsweek via email that the helicopter was carrying three adults and three children.

According to New York WABC News reporter Janice Yu, law enforcement sources said a pilot, two adults and three children were on board. Law enforcement also confirmed "the family members were tourists from Spain," Yu's post on X said.

In the news conference, Adams also said preliminary information indicates the family and the pilot were all from Spain. The names are being withheld until family is notified, officials said in the news conference.

US Coast Guard establishes a safety zone around crash site

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a safety zone on all navigable waters of the Hudson River.

The safety zone stretches a mile north, and a mile south of the Holland Tunnel Ventilators.

"No vessel traffic is permitted to transit through the safety zone," NYC's official emergency notification system said in a post on X.

Footage shows rescue efforts after helicopter crash

Footage of the crash site shows multiple boats and a helicopter at the scene as rescue and recovery crews rushed to the crash site.

At least a dozen boats carrying divers, medical crews and cranes were seen near Pier 40 on the river after multiple 911 calls reported the crash.

Two of the victims were rushed to hospital after the crash where they were pronounced dead. The other four victims were declared dead at the scene.

Witness describes watching chopper 'slowly falling apart midair'

A witness has described the moment he watched the helicopter "slowly falling apart" midair, before it crashed into the Hudson.

"I was walking, all of a sudden I just look up into the sky and it's just slowly falling apart," the man, who was not named, told NBC New York.

"Then you see the tail go and you see a flip, the propeller still in the sky, and it just slams into the ground."

Cause of crash 'still under investigation'

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that the cause of the deadly helicopter crash is "still under investigation."

Tisch shared that the chopper had taken off at around 3 p.m. ET from the Wall Street Skyport, also known as Downtown Skyport, and had flown north over Manhattan.

Police began receiving 911 calls to report a helicopter had crashed at 3.17 p.m.

Witness have spoken about hearing a loud noise and seeing the helicopter "split" in midair and one of its rotary blades fly off, before it hit the water.

Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters during a Thursday press conference that four of the six casualties were pronounced dead at the scene after the crash.

The other two were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where they were later pronounced dead.

What company operated the helicopter that crashed in the Hudson River?

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River was operated by a company called New York Helicopter tours.

On the company's website, they describe themselves has having, "the experience and safety record you can trust."

"We love New York, and our pilots know it like the back of their hands. Your comfort and safety is our number one priority. We have an industry-leading safety record, and a long history of flying in this great city," the statement continues.

"We only allow experienced professionals in our aircraft. Every one of our pilots are FAA Certified Airline Transport & Commercial pilots with an instrument and flight instructor rating. Our pilots have logged thousands of flight hours. Before joining our crew, they earned their experience in civilian, military, and law enforcement operations.

"They're also good people. You can expect a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable experience when you fly with us."

The company states it offers New York City tours to "give tourists the ride of their life," as well as charter services for "busy executives."

NYC Mayor Adams confirms three adults, three children killed in helicopter crash

Mayor Eric Adams is giving a press conference about the tragic helicopter crash that killed six on Thursday afternoon.

Adams confirmed that three children, and three adults died in the crash.

Helicopter wreckage already starting to wash up on shore

Pieces of the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed into New York City's Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, has already started to wash up on shore.

A helicopter safety pamphlet could be seen floating in the river, next to a pier in Jersey City, alongside part of the helicopter door and seat, and a floatation device, according to a local New York radio station.

All six bodies recovered from the Hudson River

The bodies of all five passengers, and the pilot, have been pulled from the Hudson River after the deadly helicopter crash today.

Fire Department of New York (FDNY) divers returned to land after recovering the casualties from the wreckage, CBS News reports.

Witness describes 'sonic boom' before seeing the helicopter 'split in two'

A witness described the terrifying moment he saw the helicopter's rotor blade "flying off" and the aircraft "splitting in two."

"It sounded like a sonic boom," the witness, who was not named, told ABC News.

"I look up and literally I just see a helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off in the sky. It was going so fast, it went straight into the water.

"I've never seen anything like that in my life," they added.

Helicopter model revealed

A report from FlightRadar24 confirmed the aircraft was a Bell 206 helicopter.

The Bell 206 is a series of two-bladed choppers manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec, plant. It was originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army, but was not selected for use by the Army.

"We're following reports of a helicopter crash in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey. At this time, based on ADS-B data and the location of SAR activity, we believe the aircraft involved to be N216MH, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV," FlightRadar24 said in a post on X.

IN PICTURES: Police close off Pier 40, as first responders attend the scene

Family killed in helicopter crash were tourists from Spain: Report

A family who were killed when their helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday were tourists on vacation from Spain, ABC News reports.

There were six people aboard the chopper that crashed; one pilot and five passengers including two children.

All died in the crash.

IN PICTURES: Rescue boats on the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River

Around a dozen rescue boats at scene of crash

Nearly a dozen boats have rushed to the site of the crash, in the Hudson River, with more rescue vessels on their way.

A yellow crane boat is making its way to the wreckage, said Newsweek reporter Mandy Taheri, who is viewing the scene.

FAA to investigate crash

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have confirmed they will investigate the crash.

"A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City," a FAA spokesperson said.

"The number of people on board is unknown at this time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide any updates."

WATCH: Moment authorities respond to Hudson River helicopter crash

Witness heard 'a loud snap' before helicopter tumbled out of the sky

A witness at the scene said they heard "a loud snap" moments before they saw the helicopter fall out of the sky.

The individual, who was not named, told Eyewitness News, "I heard a loud snap.

"I looked over ... and I could see a helicopter falling on its side and splash into the water.

"I didn't see anyone come out."

All people aboard helicopter are dead

All six people aboard a helicopter that crashed in New York City's Hudson River on Thursday, have died, AP reports.

Crash is latest in a series of aviation incidents

Thursday's crash is the latest in a string of recent aviation incidents that have made headlines. Earlier in the afternoon, two American Airlines jets carrying members of Congress bumped wings at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington.

DCA was also the site of a devastating midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet that left 67 people dead.

Five passengers were a mix of children and adults

The five passengers aboard the helicopter that crashed into New York City's Hudson River on Thursday were a mix of children and adults, according to officials.

At least three are confirmed as dead.

WATCH: Witness video captures wreckage of crash in the river

Mayor Eric Adams urges people to avoid scene of 'heartbreaking' crash

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has shared a a photo of several members of the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department at the scene of the crash.

"The team is on the scene at the heartbreaking and tragic crash in the Hudson River...assisting first responders closer to the New Jersey side of the river," he posted on X, along with the photo.

"Please avoid the area near Pier 40 in Manhattan in the meantime," he urged New Yorkers.

Aviation expert warns rescue efforts will be tough

Peter Goelz, an aviation analyst, warned that rescue teams are facing a "very difficult situation," as multiple boats were seen rushing to the crash site.

"It is extraordinarily difficult to find things in the water ... the water is very cloudy in the Hudson, it's full of silt," Goelz told CNN "With an accident such as this, it will stir up more silt from the bottom."

He added: "It's very cold, they don't have divers on standby, so they're going to have to mobilize divers who will take some time to get there. It doesn't look, from these live shots, they know approximately where it is, but I'm not sure they don't know exactly where it is."

Footage captures moment helicopter crashes into the Hudson River