Rep. Rob Menendez Statement on Hudson River Helicopter Crash

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - Today, Representative Rob Menendez (NJ-08) released the following statement on the fatal helicopter crash that occurred in the Hudson River near Jersey City:

"Today's helicopter crash in the Hudson River is an absolute tragedy. The loss of six lives is horrific, and I join our community and the victims' loved ones in mourning this heartbreaking loss.

"Our office is in regular communication with officials at all levels of government who are involved in responding to this tragedy. And we will continue to engage with the NTSB as they work throughout the coming weeks to identify the causes of the accident.

"We must also acknowledge how much worse this could have been given how close the crash was to the shoreline. Since coming to Congress, I have heard from countless residents who are concerned about non-essential helicopter traffic over our communities. We have continuously pushed the FAA to address these dangerous conditions and the role that helicopters play in this challenge. As we learn more details of the cause of this accident, we will continue to partner with air safety officials to ensure that we prevent future tragedies and safeguard our communities from the pervasive issue of non-essential helicopter traffic in the region.

"This is a sad time for our community and a painful reminder of the work that remains to keep our communities and skies safe. But we are committed to seeing it through."