Helicopter crashes into river New York-one British woman dies

Bell 206b Jet ranger helicopter, 1976 manfd,regn N63Q, ,took off from East 34th street heliport,New York, ,crashed into the East river.,ended upside down in the water. 5 occupants in the aircraft. Pilot plus 3 passengers rescued by emergency services, one female passenger drowned trapped in her seat.She was Sonia Marra Nicholson, a Brit celebrating her 40th birthday.
Paul P Dudley , 56yrs was the veteran pilot and regd owner of the helicopter.,he sustained minor injuries..,he lives at Linden, New Jersey.
crash occurred about 3.20pm local time NY tuesday.
Paul Nicholson 71yrs, the stepfather was seated next to pilot in the front, Harriet 60 the mother,together with Sonias partner Helen Tamaki aged 43yrs,and Sonia were all seated in the back.
The family are Brits living in Portugal.,having lived in Australia for a time.
I must mention that the Fire Dept and NYPD officers jumped into the water inan effort to save lives, without thought of losing theirs.
The injured persons are being treated at Belle Vue hospital.
The NTSB are investigating the crash.
see newspaper report NY Times =
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/desperate_rescue_vRRrPxiLQnPj8IxFRiehSN
It is fortunate and a coincidence that the NYPD ESU were on the west side ofthe river carrying out an exercise for Anti-Terrorism training,and therefore were at the scene immediately.

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