NEW YORK (WPIX) — A helicopter and a small plane have collided just before noon over the Hudson river.

There were five tourists and a pilot onboard the sightseeing helicopter. It is being reported that three people were on the plane. At least one passenger has been killed and six others have been rescued thus far.

According to one witness, the accident was incited when the chopper’s propeller separated from its body. The helicopter then plunged into the water. Witnesses said that the two aircraft clipped each other, then crashed near West 14th Street around noon, with wreckage falling into the water and on land on the New Jersey side.

A witness observed that the helicopter “dropped like a rock” and that the plane lost its wing.

The small plane left from Teteboro Airport this morning, but lost contact with the ground over the river, somewhere between the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, sources said.

The helicopter belonged to the Liberty Helicopter Tours, and took off from Pier 30.

Both aircraft are submerged. Eight police divers are currently in the Hudson searching for other victims. One person has been rescued so far by the Fire Department, and a rescue effort is under way involving the police, the Coast Guard, the Fire Department and other agencies.

A black box from one of the aircraft was located, and being held in New Jersey.

Source:

http://www.latimes.com/

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