Sky News brought to abrupt halt for devastating 'breaking news' announcement

was halted for a breaking news announcement as Gillian Joseph reported there has been a helicopter crash in the Hudson River in Manhattan, New York. She said: "Let's take you live to New York, it is nearly 10 to four there in the afternoon. The New York Police Department has ust confirmed that a helicopter has crashed into the Hudson River near Manhattan, this is the live shot we have at the moment. No more information at the moment. More on that developing story as we get it."

The show then went to the live feed, with limited sound, as it showed rescue boats at the scene as authorities rushed to aid people involved in the crash. New Jersey State Police have said there were two adults, two children and a pilot onboard. Six people have died in the helicopter crash, an Associated Press source says. The helicopter was reportedly carrying a family of five, with two parents and three children, on holiday in New York from Spain, ABC News reports.

It's believed the aircraft was a tourist helicopter on a flight around Manhattan, with the flight path being known as a popular route for tourists. The crash site is between Manhattan and Newark Airport.

A man who saw the crash said to NBC that the "the chopper blade flew off", adding: "I don't know what happened to the tail, but it just straight up dropped."

The New York Fire Department has confirmed it received a report of a helicopter which crahsed in the water at 3.17pm local time, which is 8.17pm UK time, and immediately sent teams for a rescue operation.

Camran Mahmoodi, 21, told local news: "Everyone heard a loud boom and we didn't know if it landed in the city or the water". He added that FDNY divers surrounded the area to pull people out of the water.

Amy Kiplok, who was walking along the West Side Piers, said: "I just heard this boom, boom, boom, boom, boom and then I looked up and it just went into the river. And then I thought, was that really a helicopter? Then I called 911 and said I think a helicopter went into the river."