Helicopter horror for expatriate Briton celebrating 40th in New York

A PASSENGER is pulled from the water after a helicopter crash which killed a British woman on a visit to New York, to mark her 40th birthday.

Sonia Marra died after the aircraft smashed into New York’s East River shortly after take-off on Tuesday.

The UK expatriate, who was living in Sydney, Australia, was travelling with partner Helen Tamaki, 43, and her British mother and stepfather Harriet and Paul Nicholson.

Ms Tamaki, believed to be a New Zealander, and Mrs Nicholson, 60, were seriously injured and were in a critical condition yesterday. The 56-year-old pilot and Mr Nicholson, 71, have been released from hospital.

The helicopter was on a private tour when it crashed into the river at 3:20pm local time, shortly after lifting off from the 34th Street Heliport.

Mr and Mrs Nicholson live in Portugal and the group, who had met in New York, were also reportedly celebrating Mr Nicholson’s birthday.