Donald Trump issues statement after 6 people die in NYC Hudson River helicopter crash

The President of the United States has issued an official statement following a fatal helicopter crash on Thursday.

Six people lost their lives after an tourist chopper plummeted into New York's Hudson River.

The passengers were later identified as a family-of-five from Spain, who were visiting the East Coast city, and died alongside the pilot.

The father was this morning named as Agustín Escobar - the chief executive for rail infrastructure for the technology company Siemens.

His wife Merce Camprubi Montal - a global manager at an energy technology company - was also on board with their three children, aged four, five and 11.

An image of the two adults and three children killed in the devastating collision have since been released to the public.

The family, who hailed specifically from Barcelona, were photographed just minutes before climbing into the tourist vehicle, that a witness later claimed split in half in mid air just 15 minutes after taking off, before falling into the water.

The identities of the family who died in the crash have been released (New York Helicopter Tours LLC)

All six passengers lost their lives (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Footage of the tragedy has also been released, showing the aircraft spinning upside down before crashing down.

Eric Adams - Mayor of New York - has since released a response, claiming his 'heart goes out' to the families of victims, as the crash is currently under investigation.

Donald Trump has also since issued an official statement following news of the tragedy.

Taking to his own media platform Truth Social in the early hours of this morning (11 Apr), the 78-year-old wrote: "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."

The Republican leader went on to vow: "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!"

The CEO of the air touring firm (New York Helicopter Tours) Michael Roth has since given some detail about the collision, claiming the pilot had radioed to say they were returning to the helipad, but that the group never arrived.

Donald Trump has issued a response (Truth Social)

"He [the pilot] called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive," he told the Telegraph.

Helplessly, the 71-year-old added in conversation with the New York Post: "The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter.

"And I haven’t seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business.

"The only thing I could guess – I got no clue – is that it either had a bird strike or the main rotor blades failed. I have no clue. I don’t know."

Speaking of his heartbreak, Roth added: "We’re all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying.

"The death of the child of any human being, is a monumental disaster."