Helicopter goes down

A HELICOPTER has crashed into New York City’s East River, killing two passengers and critically injuring three others.

Police say a sixth person, the pilot, freed himself and was rescued by a passing tugboat on Sunday night, local time.

The helicopter was being chartered for a photo shoot when it went down near Gracie Mansion, the mayoral residence. Police and fire service divers pulled the five passengers from the chopper.

Video on Twitter shows a red helicopter land hard in the water and then flip on its side as its rotors beat the water.