British tourist killed in New York helicopter crash
A helicopter carrying four sightseers has crashed in New York City, killing a British woman who had travelled to Manhattan to celebrate her 40th birthday.
The privately-owned Bell 206 chopper spun out of control after take-off and plunged into the East River near 34th Street in midtown Manhattan.
Onboard were the pilot and British-born husband and wife Paul and Harriet Nicholson, her daughter Sonia Marra who died at the scene, and Marra's Australian friend Helen Tamaki.
Marra is believed to have been trapped in the rear of the helicopter and drowned when it sank 50-feet into the river. The other passengers made it out of the water.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters it was not clear what caused the crash.
The pilot, Paul Dudley, who was a friend of the passengers', is being questioned by air crash investigators.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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