An investigation is underway into what caused a privately owned helicopter to crash into New York’s East River. The incident involving a Bell 206 aircraft has resulted in the death of one woman and has left two others in a serious condition. On board the helicopter were the pilot, who managed to make it to the river bank, a British husband and wife, the wife’s British daughter and her Australian friend.

Although rescue workers have managed to retrieve the daughter’s body, she was declared dead at the scene. She appears to have become trapped after the helicopter submerged.

Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York, said it was not clear what had gone wrong, but that the helicopter appeared to have been upside down prior to the crash. According to those watching the recovery of the aircraft, it appeared to still be completely intact as it was pulled from the water and lowered onto a boat.

Weather officials at La Guardia airport said that at the time of the incident there were 20mph gusts of wind and 10 miles of clear visibility. According to witness, Joy Garnett, the helicopter appeared to get into trouble around 25 feet off the ground. It began spinning and then flipped over into the river, she added.

The pilot has been named as Paul Dudley. He remained at the scene and is currently being questioned by officials. His wife, Sunhe, said that all of the passengers in the helicopter had been close friends of the family.