At least two people are dead after a helicopter crashed into the East River in New York City on Sunday evening, according to local authorities
The fatalities were confirmed by Eric Phillips, spokesperson for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, on Twitter.
Three survivors were removed from the helicopter by divers, and were rushed to hospital in critical condition, according to the New York Fire Department. The pilot freed himself and was also taken to hospital
A video filmed by an onlooker and shared on Twitter appeared to show the helicopter descending towards the river and crashing, before flipping onto its side.
The helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350, went down near Roosevelt Island at around 7 p.m. and was upside-down in the water, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The chopper was a tour helicopter owned by New-Jersey based Liberty Helicopter Tours, officials said.
Officials didn’t disclose any information about the cause of the crash.