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Tragic Helicopter Crash in New York City: Tourists Share Frightening Encounter

A couple from the Netherlands, Melissa Maertem, 23, and her partner Mellissa Bos, 24, had a narrow escape from a tragic helicopter accident in New York City on April 10. The pair, who were eager to experience an aerial tour of the city, found themselves waiting in line at the helicopter terminal just behind a Spanish family of five. That family, alongside their pilot, was later identified as the unfortunate casualty of the crash.

“It could have been us,” Maertem reflected, explaining how they felt after learning that the helicopter they watched take off had ultimately crashed into the Hudson River. “We saw the helicopter take off, and when you think back, like, ‘Oh, that’s the helicopter we saw.’ It’s really hard to understand,” she stated in an interview with the New York Daily News.

Onlookers reported observing the helicopter in distress, with some claiming it appeared to be “falling apart” while it was airborne. The incident, which occurred near Jersey City around 3:15 p.m. local time, left all six souls aboard, including the pilot Sean Johnson, dead. The New York City Police Department and the Hoboken Fire Department confirmed the details surrounding the crash.

Maertem and Bos had initially approached their planned helicopter ride with excitement, having booked the excursion six months prior. However, upon arriving at the heliport around 4:45 p.m., they sensed something was amiss. Customers reported the employees appeared anxious and were pacing, which added to the concern in the air.

After a prolonged wait, the couple was informed that all flights for the day had been canceled due to an accident. “They said there’s been an accident, and we can’t take the flights anymore,” Maertem recounted. Their worst fears were confirmed when they learned of the fatalities involved in the crash incident.

In light of the tragedy, Maertem and Bos decided against rescheduling their helicopter tour, opting instead for a refund as their apprehensions about flying had heightened significantly.

The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopters, whose CEO, Michael Roth, shared that the pilot had sent a message indicating he would be returning to the pad for fuel just prior to the incident. Roth mentioned that while the pilot predicted a three-minute return time, he had not arrived 20 minutes later, triggering concern.

Roth expressed the profound impact of the loss on their team, stating, “Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying.” As investigations unfold, the National Transportation Safety Board is scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Despite the haunting experience, Maertem stated that they will carry on with their New York City trip, albeit with noticeable difficulty. “It’s really, really hard,” she concluded, expressing the emotional toll it has taken to process the incident and its proximity to their lives.

Source
people.com