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The pilot of the doomed New York helicopter made a frantic mayday call just moments before the aircraft plunged into a river, killing five people.
Pilot Richard Vance escaped the wreckage after the aircraft smashed into the city's East River yesterday - but all five passengers tragically died.
The newly-released emergency call, made seconds before the impact, suggests the chopper suffered engine failure before it hit the water.
The helicopter had been chartered for a photo shoot.
New York City Police confirmed two of the passengers were pronounced dead at the scene while three others later died in hospital.
The harrowing moment the 33-year-old pilot called for help has been released.