Five passengers killed in New York river helicopter crash

A helicopter crashed into New York City's East River around sundown Sunday and flipped on its side, killing all five passengers.A spokesman for the New York City Police Department confirmed the deaths to The Associated Press early Monday morning.

Police say a sixth person, the pilot, freed himself and was rescued by a passing tugboat on Sunday night. Police and fire department divers pulled the five passengers from the helicopter.

Video taken by a bystander and posted on Twitter shows a red helicopter land hard in the water and then tip over as its rotors slap at the water.The helicopter, a model used by tourist companies,



went down near Gracie Mansion, the mayoral residence. A small armada of rescue boats searched for survivors.

Witnesses told local media that the helicopter appeared to fill with water quickly.

"Its' cold water. It was sinking really fast," Mary Lee, 66, told the New York Post. "By the time we got out here, we couldn't see it. It was under water."

Witnesses described seeing at least one person emerge from the helicopter and wave his or her hands for help.

A Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman said the Eurocopter AS350 went down just after 7 p.m.