Tourist helicopter crashes into New York's Hudson River

A tourist helicopter crashed in New York City's Hudson River, near Lower Manhattan, on Thursday afternoon and was submerged in the water, prompting a huge response of emergency personnel.

A person briefed on the matter said there were six people on board including five passengers and a pilot on the helicopter tour flight but it is not clear if there were any survivors.

ABC News said fatalities had been reported, citing law enforcement sources, while CNN said at least three people had been rescued.

New York Representative Grace Meng said on social media she was "devastated to learn about the deadly helicopter crash in the Hudson River."

The Federal Aviation Administration said a Bell 206 helicopter crashed and was submerged in the Hudson River, adding the number of people on board was still unknown at this time.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.

CBS reported the helicopter flew over Governor's Island and then near the Statue of Liberty.

The source told Reuters this was the helicopter's third trip of the day on Thursday.

A New York City Police spokesperson 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.

News video of the crash site showed several emergency and police boats circling around a patch of river where the helicopter was submerged.

The accident took place in the river off the Tribeca neighborhood. New York police said residents should expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas. — Reuters