A policeman stand guard after a helicopter crash-landed on top of a building in midtown Manhattan. Photo courtesy of Kyodo
NEW YORK, June 11 (NNN-KYODO) – A helicopter crashed on the roof of a high-rise building in midtown Manhattan on Monday afternoon, killing at least one person, the New York City Fire Department said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the dead person was apparently the pilot of the helicopter, which officials said made a “hard landing” on the roof of the building at 787 Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.
The fire department said a fire caused by the incident was extinguished. There are road closures around the building, with police asking people to avoid nearby streets.
Speaking at a news briefing just after the crash, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that there is “no indication” that the incident was intentional.
“If you are a New Yorker you have a level of PTSD from 9/11. As soon as you hear an aircraft hit a building, my mind goes where the mind of every New Yorker goes,” Cuomo said.
Pedestrians who were near the building expressed shock at the incident.
“We are pretty shocked we hope everyone is okay and safe,” said Ron Magee, 55, a real estate agent on vacation from Las Vegas with his family.
Annelise Jung, 60, an expo manager on vacation from Switzerland, said the crash conjured up memories of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States.
“I thought the people would be very, very afraid in the building that there might be another terror attack,” she added.
A view of 787 7th Avenue in midtown Manhattan where a helicopter was reported to have crashed in New York City. Photo courtesy of Kyodo
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