NEW YORK — A tour helicopter crashed into the East River Sunday evening—five passengers were killed as the pilot was able to escape, NYPD says.
Emergency crews were converging at East 90th street.
There were initial reports of at least five people trapped as the aircraft was at least partially submerged.
Witnesses say one person was able to get out and make it shore with a raft.
Video posted to social media captured the moment of impact.
@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
Video provided by amateur via Citizen app helicopter down east river Mid 90s Manhattan pic.twitter.com/iNUQzDVEiZ
— Shield 1631 (@Shield1631) March 11, 2018
Helicopter down in east river pic.twitter.com/VRm1n9Hc7J
— Mary Beth Hogan (@mbhogan) March 11, 2018
Reports of a helicopter down in the East River. @nypd and @FDNY on scene.We have several crews headed to the scene. The latest on @ABC7NY pic.twitter.com/XTTM7KfJtt
— Sandra Bookman (@SandraBookman7) March 11, 2018
It was unclear what caused the chopper to go down.
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