Aerial footage shows authorities rushing into the Hudson River to recover bodies
New aerial video footage released by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) captures the harrowing moments after a tragic tour helicopter crash into the Hudson River last week. The crash resulted in the loss of six lives, including three young children.
The aerial videos from April 10 show divers bravely jumping into the murky waters of the Hudson River from NYPD boats, heading towards the overturned helicopter wreckage. The Bell 206 L-4 helicopter was seen floating upside down as divers worked diligently to retrieve the pilot and five passengers, which included Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubà Montal, and their three children.
During a press conference, officials revealed that the NYPD diving unit had been in the river searching for a missing person when the call about the helicopter crash came in. The quick response from the NYPD Scuba Unit Officer Joseph Frevola and his team was crucial in reaching the crash site in Jersey City, New Jersey, within eight to 10 minutes.
Despite challenging weather conditions during the rescue operation, Frevola emphasized the team’s focus on locating the tail and main rotors of the aircraft to aid in the investigation. The currents in the river had flipped, making it difficult for the divers, but they persevered in their mission.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later announced that the helicopter did not have any flight recorders onboard, leaving many questions unanswered. No video or camera recordings were recovered, and none of the avionics on the helicopter recorded data that could help determine the cause of the crash.
Divers managed to locate the main fuselage, cockpit, cabin, tail boom, stabilizer finlets, and vertical fin, and are continuing the search for more wreckage using side-scanning sonar technology.
New York Helicopter Charter Inc., the operator of the helicopter, reported that the aircraft had undergone its last inspection on March 1 and had completed seven tour flights before the tragic incident. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash to bring closure to the victims’ families and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The heartbreaking loss of life in this helicopter crash serves as a reminder of the risks involved in aviation and the importance of thorough safety measures. The bravery and dedication of the rescue teams in responding swiftly to the crash highlight the selfless efforts of those who work tirelessly to save lives in times of crisis.
As the investigation continues, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims as they navigate this difficult time.
