Five die in New York helicopter crash
All five passengers who were on a sightseeing helicopter that went down in New York City yesterday have died.
The pilot of the Liberty Helicopters’ flight has been taken to hospital ‘for observation’. He is the sole survivor of the crash in the East River.
Two of the passengers died at the scene and the New York City Fire Department confirmed that the other three who were taken to hospital with critical injuries have also died.
The helicopter had been on a chartered private photo shoot, authorities said.
Liberty Helicopters is one of the biggest sightseeing operators in New York City. The company operates a fleet of 10 helicopters and has been in business for more than 30 years.
Its Eurocopter AS350 is believed to have come down in the river near Roosevelt Island at 7 pm yesterday. The helicopter was upside-down and submerged when emergency responders reached it, authorities said.
New York Police Department Commissioner James O’Neill said there were ‘dozens of calls’ to emergency services reporting the incident, which was also caught on video.
Investgators from the US National Transport Safety Board are expected on the scene early on Monday.
The crash came just weeks after a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon, claiming the lives of five British tourists.
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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