Helicopter crashes into the East River in New York City

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By BNO NEWS

A helicopter has crashed into the East River in New York City, witnesses and local officials say. Details are limited while a rescue operation is underway.

The incident happened just after 7 p.m. ET on Sunday when the Eurocopter AS350 aircraft went down in the East River in the vicinity of 91st Street, which is near Roosevelt Island and just east of Central Park.

It was not immediately known how many people were on board the helicopter, which has a maximum capacity for six people. There was also no word on the identities of those on board.

Kathleen Bergen, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were both investigating. “The helicopter reportedly is inverted in the water,” she said.

Several witnesses said at least one person on board was able to get out and swim to safety, though authorities were not able to confirm that. Eric Phillips, a city spokesman, said divers are in the water and Mayor Bill de Blasio has been briefed.

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