Helicopter Crashes in New York’s East River; One Killed

A helicopter carrying eight persons crashed into the East River as it took off from the 34th Street heliport Friday. All eight were rescued, but one died later at a hospital, officials said.

Police Chief Gerard Kerins said the New York Helicopter Corp. craft was headed for Kennedy Airport when it went down Friday afternoon in the fast-moving river between Manhattan and Queens.

“The pilot reported to his personnel he had a power failure and did not have time to employ the floats” in the craft, said Chauncey Twine Jr., a National Transportation Safety Board investigator.

The pilot, co-pilot and six passengers were rushed to nearby Bellevue Hospital.

One passenger died at the hospital, night administrator Eric Kalt said. He would identify him only as a traveler from West Germany and said the exact cause of death would be determined later.

All others were treated and released, Kalt said.