Up to six people have been killed after a helicopter crashed into New York City’s Hudson River this morning.
The fire department said it received a report of a helicopter in the water at 3.17pm local time (5.17am Friday AEST). At least six people were on board, including two adults and three children, according to the NYPD.
Videos posted on social media showed the aircraft mostly submerged, upside down in the water.
The Associated Press reported six people were killed, according to a source.
CNN quoted the New York Police Department as saying at least one person was killed.
A law enforcement official told CNN that five people had been recovered from the water, including three children.
One person was still missing.
The five people recovered were taken to hospital but there is no information on their condition.
The fire department said it had units on scene performing rescue operations.
Multiple rescue boats were seen on video circling the aircraft.
The rescue craft were near a site close to the Manhattan waterfront, near the end of a long maintenance pier for one of the ventilation towers for the Holland Tunnel.
“Due to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas,” the NYPD said in a social media post.
FlightRadar24 reported the aircraft to be a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, based on ADS-B tracking data.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the situation alongside the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB is leading the investigation and will provide updates.
“A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City,” the FAA said in a statement.
“The number of people on board is unknown at this time.”
