LAST UPDATE | 10 Jun 2019
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT of New York says that there is currently one confirmed fatality after a helicopter crashed onto the roof of a building during foggy weather in midtown Manhattan.
The FDNY said the crash took place on the roof of the AXA Equitable Center at 787 Seventh Avenue at around 2pm local time.
Media reports say the person who was killed was the helicopter pilot.
The crash landing started a fire on the roof of the building but firefighters have successfully extinguished the blaze.
“The fire has been extinguished, and members continue to operate in response to fuel leaking from the helicopter,” the FDNY said.
The building, which houses a number of offices, was evacuated after the crash and the New York Police Department urged people to avoid the area between 51st and 52nd streets on Seventh Avenue.
Video from the scene shows numerous emergency vehicles attending the incident, a few blocks north of Times Square.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters that there are no reports of injuries to people in the tower.
“If you’re a New Yorker, you have a level of PTSD, right, from 9/11. And I remember that morning all too well. So as soon as you hear an aircraft hit a building, I think my mind goes where every New Yorker’s mind goes,” he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the incident. It was not immediately known what type of helicopter was involved.
US President Donald Trump tweeted that he has been briefed on the crash. “Phenomenal job by our GREAT First Responders who are currently on the scene,” he said.
With reporting by Associated Press
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say