A helicopter has crashed into New York City’s East River, killing two passengers and critically injuring three others.
Police said a sixth person, the pilot, freed himself and was rescued by a passing tugboat on Sunday night.
An update on the helicopter crash in the East River being provided by @NYPDONeill and @FDNY Commissioner Nigro. Watch: pic.twitter.com/lzacSjiCT2
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 12, 2018
The helicopter was being chartered for a photo shoot when it went down near Gracie Mansion, the mayoral residence.
A Eurocopter AS350 went down in the East River near Roosevelt Island in #NYC at 7pm today. The helicopter reportedly is inverted in the water. Local authorities will confirm the number of people on board, their names and conditions. The #FAA is investigating.
— The FAA (@FAANews) March 11, 2018
Police and fire department divers pulled the five passengers from the helicopter.
Video posted on Twitter shows a red helicopter land hard in the water and then flip on its side as its rotors beat the water.
