At least 2 dead in New York river helicopter crash

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 11: Emergency responders work at the scene of a helicopter crash in the East River March 11, 2018, in New York City. According to reports at least two people were killed. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — At least two people died late Sunday when the helicopter they were riding in crashed into Manhattan’s East River, local media reported.

New York police confirmed the accident ahead of a press conference scheduled for 9:00 pm (0100 GMT), but without indicating a toll.

New York 1 television, citing police sources, reported that five of the six people flying in the helicopter had died, with only the pilot surviving.

The red chopper, owned by tourism group Liberty, fell into the river near the tony Upper East Side neighborhood, witnesses told New York 1.

© Agence France-Presse