Fatal Helicopter Crash Reported In Hudson River

A Bell helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon—shortly after 3:00 p.m. ET—near West Side Highway and Spring Street, closer to the Jersey City side of the river. 

The Coast Guard halted all maritime traffic in the area to establish a safety zone around the crash site. The NYPD is on scene, and a report from ABC News indicated there are fatalities, though the exact number has not yet been confirmed.

"Due to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas," NYPD wrote in a statement on X. 

Footage of the accident area has been posted on X by several users.  

"Helicopter crashing into Hudson River. You can see the propellers falling. So sad …" one X user said. 

Another X user said, "The helicopter that crashed in the Hudson appears to be N216MH, a Bell 206 owned by Meridian helicopters. Radar shows it suddenly dropping to the water just north of the Holland Tunnel." 

*Developing...