Video

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday afternoon.CreditCredit…Ben Solomon for The New York Times

At least three people died when a helicopter tumbled out of the sky and plunged into the Hudson River between New Jersey and the West Village in Manhattan Thursday afternoon, according to people briefed on the rescue efforts and video footage of the crash.

Here’s what we know:

• At least two adults and three children were pulled from the helicopter or from the frigid river and driven to hospitals across the river in New Jersey, a law enforcement official said. A sixth person, believed to be the pilot, was unaccounted for.
• The helicopter went down near Pier 40, off Spring Street, at about 3:15 p.m.
• Video of the crash shows the helicopter tumbling end over end and hitting the water at high speed. Witnesses on social media reported having seen a helicopter in distress.
• It is not known where the helicopter took off from or where it was headed. Tourist helicopters routinely fly over the river, carrying sightseers from heliports in Lower Manhattan and New Jersey.
• The typical temperature of the river this time of year is about 45 degrees, according to a government site.

Andy Newman contributed reporting.