A helicopter crashed in the East River Sunday evening, killing five of the six persons aboard. The crash, at about Manhattan’s 88th Street and close to Gracie Mansion, triggered an enormous rescue effort from the NYPD and FDNY. The pilot survived, but all five passengers died.

The helicopter sank shortly after crashing, but the crew of a nearby tugboat lashed the wreckage to the tug. NYPD and FDNY rescue crews worked to extract the victims as the tug and helicopter floated downstream, with the five passengers brought ashore at the 36th Street ferry dock in Manhattan.

Photo Gallery:
Our full photo gallery is available here.
