Six people were killed in a helicopter crash that crashed into the Hudson River near Manhattan on Thursday, a source told the Associated Press.
The crash occurred at around 3:17 p.m. local time, and the fire department responded immediately to a report of a helicopter in the water.
Videos posted on social media showed the helicopter overturned and almost completely submerged in the river. A video of the helicopter crash was also released. The fire department confirmed that its crews were on the scene carrying out rescue operations. The footage showed several rescue boats circling the wreckage.
The BBC could not confirm the authenticity of the footage.
The crash occurred near the Manhattan waterfront, near the end of a long service pier for one of the Holland Tunnel ventilation towers. The street along the river was blocked by fire and emergency vehicles with rotaries.
The skies above Manhattan are often filled with aircraft – both private and tourist helicopters, as well as commercial helicopters. The city has several helipads that transport business people and other travelers throughout the metropolitan area on a daily basis.
