A helicopter carrying six people has crashed in New York City's East River, killing five passengers on board.
The pilot freed himself, was rescued and treated in hospital. He's been released in a good condition, police said.
The Eurocopter AS350 went down near the northern end of Roosevelt Island at about 7pm on Sunday and was reported to be upside-down in the water, the Federal Aviation Administration says.
The helicopter was carrying six people when it crashed. Two people were declared dead at the scene, according to New York authorities. Another three people have since died in hospital, a fire department spokesman confirmed.
Helicopter crashes in New York. Source: Twitter: Jjmagers
"It took a while for the divers to get these people out. They worked very quickly, as fast as they could, its 50 feet of water there," Commissioner Daniel Nigro told reporters at a press conference earlier.
"It is a great tragedy that occurred on an otherwise quiet Sunday evening."
The Federal Aviation Administration tweeted the Eurocopter went down in the East River near Roosevelt Island at 7pm local time.
New York authorities said the helicopter was chartered for a private photoshoot.
A video showed a red helicopter descending toward the water at dusk, then landing with a large splash before tipping onto its right side, its tail lights still flashing.
Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the footage.
Eric Phillips, a spokesman for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, said the mayor had been briefed.
"NYPD and FDNY divers already on the scene and in the water," Phillips tweeted.
The New York City Fire Department tweeted that its members were with police at the location near 91st Street in Manhattan.
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