A Dallas firefighter on vacation in New York City was among five people killed when a tourist helicopter crashed into the East River on Sunday night.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Officer Brian McDaniel, 26, was a two-year member of the department and assigned to Fire Station 36.
"Despite his short tenure, hearts are heavy with grief as we not only try to come to grips with his loss departmentally, but to also be there in every way that we can for his family," Dallas Fire-Rescue said in a statement.
The pilot was the only survivor of the crash, which was reported around 7:15 p.m. near 90th Street and the FDR Drive. The East River runs between Manhattan and Queens.
A video posted on Twitter shows the Eurocopter AS350 helicopter landing in the water.
“There was about a minute where we didn’t see anyone come out,” Brianna Jesme told the New York Post. “Then after a minute, we saw a man come out holding onto a raft screaming: ‘Help! help! Ah!’ and then inaudible screams."
Several fire department boats and police department helicopters rushed to the scene. FDNY crews deployed rescuers to several locations on both sides of the river as the craft, carried by the river's strong current, traveled south for nearly 20 blocks.
"The pilot freed himself but the other five did not," FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. "So police and fire divers entered the water and removed the other five."
The pilot was taken to the hospital for observation, but Nigro said he was "O.K."
The helicopter was upside down and completely submerged in the water.
"It took a little while for the divers to get these people out," Nigro said. "They worked as quickly, as fast as they can."
Nigro said there was a 4 mph current in the 50-foot deep waters and temperatures were in the low 40s.
Shortly between 10 p.m., FDNY officials declared the incident under control.
The helicopter, owned by Liberty Helicopter Tours, was being used for a photo shoot, New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill said.
The National Transportation Safety Board has been called in to investigate.
