June 17, 2005

Another helicopter crashes into East River

(Update: Click here for information on July 2007 helicopter crash in the Hudson.)

Several people have been rescued from a helicopter that plunged into the East River south of the United Nations this afternoon, TV news crews are reporting. This is the second crash this week.

Two pilots and six passengers were on board, Channel 2 is reporting. Additionaly, one civilian jumped into the river to assist and he has also been pulled from the river. The severity of the injuries is unclear.

The helicopter took off from the 34th Street heliport and was a corporate flight, not a tourist trip, NY1 is reporting. The video from the scene shows an NYC Police boat next to shore attempting to pull something white from the water, presumably the helicopter.

In the crash earlier this week, flotation devices were triggered, leaving the helicopter floating upside down. However no flotation devices were triggered in today's crash, and the helicopter is entirely submerged in the cold water with almost zero visibility.

Early online reports can be found from Newsday, Reuters and the Associated Press. (Nothing yet at the NY Times or NY Post.)

The cause of the Tuesday crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. That helicopter crash was only the third in New York City in the past decade, including one fatality in 1997.

On a personal note - I was up in a tourist helicopter over Memorial Day weekend, but with Liberty Helicopters along the Hudson River. Each passenger was fitted with a pull-cord life vest, which none of the news reports are making mention of.

Earlier: British tourist in serious condition after copter crash
Tourist helicopter crashes in East River near Wall St.

June 17, 2005 05:03 PM in Sightsology, Tours

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