A helicopter crashed into New York City’s East River Sunday night and flipped upside down in the water, killing two of the six people aboard and leaving three others in critical condition, officials said.
Video taken by a bystander and posted on Twitter shows the red helicopter land in the water and then capsize, its rotors slapping at the water.
The helicopter, which is owned by Liberty Helicopter Tours had been hired for a private photoshoot, New York City police Commissioner James O’Neill said.
According to CBS news, the helicopter reported an engine failure to air traffic control in the minutes before the crash.
The passengers were recovered by police and fire department divers, who had to remove them from tight harnesses while they were upside down, fire commissioner Daniel Nigro said.
The helicopter was recovered and towed to the 34th Street heliport, sources told NBC 4.
In a statement, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was monitoring the situation.
“Our thoughts and hope for safe recovery are with those who were aboard. We are thankful for our first responders at the scene,” Cuomo said.
> Shiuly Akter
Two Dead in Helicopter Crash into the East River off Manhattan
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