Helicopter crashes in New York City river, killing at least 2

A helicopter has crashed into the East River in New York City, killing two people and critically injuring three others, local officials say. A sixth person suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The accident happened just after 7:05 p.m. ET on Sunday when the Eurocopter AS350 aircraft went down in the river in the vicinity of 91st Street, which is near the northern tip of Roosevelt Island and just east of Central Park.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the helicopter was carrying a total of six people, its maximum capacity. There was no word on the identities of those on board, but several reports said the aircraft was registered to a company in New Jersey.

One person, who was identified as the pilot, was able to get out of the helicopter and was rescued by a tugboat, after which he was taken to an area hospital. The other five were recovered from the wreckage by divers.

Fire officials confirmed that two people were pronounced dead at the scene and three others were rushed to an hospital in critical condition. The pilot suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of Sunday’s accident was not immediately known, but radio transmissions just prior to the crash indicated that the helicopter was experiencing engine failure. Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.