One woman died Tuesday when a helicopter crashed into New York City's East River, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, dpa reported.
The other four occupants of the Bell 206 JetRanger escaped the wreckage and were rescued from the water.
The New York Times identified the dead passenger as Sonia Marra, 40, of Sydney, Australia. New York Fire Department divers pulled her body from the wreckage.
"The fifth was trapped in the helicopter," Bloomberg said.
"I just hope that's the only fatality," Bloomberg said. "Our prayers are with the people that are in the hospital."
The pilot was reportedly unharmed, while three passengers were hospitalized. All five people aboard were adults.
Bloomberg said the helicopter was a private aircraft from nearby New Jersey. The pilot had apparently picked up the passengers from Manhattan and had just lifted off when he encountered unspecified problems and tried to return to the helipad.