Helicopter crashes in NYC East River; NYPD divers rescue survivors, one missing

Rescuers gather near E. 34 St. in Manhattan after a helicopter crashed into the East River Tuesday shortly after takeoff

Survivors cling to the helicopter as it goes under

A helicopter with as many as five people aboard crashed in the East River on Tuesday and a rescue operation was underway, police said.

The privately-owned chopper was apparently trying to land at the helipad on E. 34th St. when it went down around 3 p.m. and quickly submerged.

Within minutes a police dive team was in the choppy water and quickly found three survivors and dragged them to shore.

Two of them were placed on stretchers and taken to Bellevue in serious condition, police said.

The condition of the third person was not immediately known.

Divers and at least seven NYPD boats continued to scour the water for anybody else who might have been aboard the Bell 206 chopper.

Meanwhile, police were steering northbound traffic on the FDR away from the area.