A routine afternoon along the Hudson turned into a horrifying scene on Thursday, as a helicopter plummeted into the river near Pier 40 in a harrowing crash that claimed at least one life. At approximately 3:15 p.m., witnesses watched as the chopper appeared to “split in half” midair before slamming into the water just off West Houston Street and West Street. The impact sent shockwaves through the area, with bystanders reporting a “loud thumping noise” as the aircraft hit the surface, trailing a shattered propeller in its wake. “I saw it break apart in the sky—it didn’t look real,” one witness posted on social media, sharing footage of the helicopter as it spiraled down, pieces flying, before vanishing into the river. The mangled wreckage now floats near the New Jersey border of the Hudson River, dangerously close to the vents of the Holland Tunnel near Jersey City. Emergency responders, including the FDNY’s elite Land and Marine units, swarmed the crash site within minutes, diving into murky waters in an urgent bid to locate survivors. Officials confirmed that at least one person aboard the helicopter was killed, though the total number of passengers remains unknown as the rescue operation continues. Meanwhile, police have issued traffic alerts, warning drivers to avoid the area surrounding West Side Highway and Spring Street due to emergency activity. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)