New York helicopter crash kills two
News & Trends •
at least two persons died late sunday when the helicopter they were riding in crashed into manhattans east river in new york officials said1 the red chopper owned by tourism group liberty and carrying six people including the pilot fell into the river near the upscale upper east side neighborhood around 90th street shortly after 700 pm 2300 gmt at the end of a sunny day1 the pilot freed himself the other five did not fire commissioner daniel nigro told reporters during a brief press conference1 we are told the five people were all tied tightly in harnesses that had to be cut and removed1 divers rushed to the scene and freed the passengers two of whom were pronounced dead amid strong currents and frigid temperatures nigro added1 the other three were taken to hospital in critical condition1 liberty organises aerial tours of americas financial capital. police chief james oneill said the aircraft had been leased by photographers1 new york 1 television citing police sources reported that five of the six people flying in the helicopter had died with only the pilot surviving1 the cause of the accident was not immediately clear but local media indicated the pilot had sent a distress signal that mentioned an engine problem shortly before the crash1 the national transportation safety board is investigating the incident1