NEW YORK: A helicopter crashed in the Hudson River near lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, the New York City Police Department said.
ABC News reported that fatalities had occurred, citing law enforcement sources.
A New York City Police spokesman said police boats were assisting in the rescue efforts on the Hudson, but details such as how many people were on board were not immediately available. CNN reported that at least three people had been rescued.
The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately comment, while the National Transportation Safety Board said it was gathering information on the incident.
News footage of the crash site showed several emergency and police boats circling a patch of river where the helicopter was submerged.
The accident occurred in the river off the Tribeca neighbourhood of lower Manhattan. New York police said residents should expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas.
