At least two people were killed Sunday night after a helicopter with six people — including the pilot — aboard crashed in New York City’s East River, officials said.
New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill said at a press conference that two people were declared dead at the scene of the crash, and three others were pulled from the water in critical condition and transported to a hospital.
The Mayor was just briefed by the police and fire commissioners. At least one survivor, at least two fatalities. Divers are still in the water.
— Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) March 12, 2018
The group, which officials said was flying as part of a Liberty Helicopter Tour, was on the private charter for a photo shoot when it crashed around 7 p.m.
@cnn @FoxNews just witnessed a helicopter crash into the East River .. hope everyone’s ok. Caught it all on tape! pic.twitter.com/saHOMTLR69
— JJ Magers (@JJmagers) March 11, 2018
The pilot was able to escape the helicopter, while the five others aboard were tightly harnessed. The police commissioner said rescue divers removed all five people from the chopper, which was “upside down and completely submerged.”
More video emerges showing moment tour helicopter crashed into New York City's East River. pic.twitter.com/35KrJAmWVt
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) March 12, 2018
The Federal Aviation Administration tweeted that a Eurocopter AS350 “went down” near Roosevelt Island around 7 p.m., adding the chopper — a model often used by tourist companies — is reportedly upside down in the water.
One person has been rescued from the water via tugboat, and five others have been recovered by police and fire officials, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release.
One person was seen being pulled from the water onto a raft after the crash, one witness said. Video posted to social media by WCBS appears to show a man being walked from the scene into an ambulance.
It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, but the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating.
