What to Know

• Authorities are investigating a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, according to the NYPD.
• A report of the downed aircraft near the West Side Highway and Spring Street came in shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday.
• A pilot, two adults and two children were aboard the helicopter that crashed in the Hudson River near Pier 40 this afternoon, multiple law enforcement sources say. There were four confirmed deaths as of 4:30 p.m.
• Three law enforcement sources say the helicopter is believed to have been a tour charter flying along the Hudson at the time of the crash. A cause is under investigation.