Plane and Helicopter Collide Over the Hudson River

Reports are pretty sketchy, but it sounds like an aircraft has collided with a tourist helicopter over the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey. There were reportedly six people on the helicopter and one on the plane. Rescue attempts are underway and debris is spread both on land and in the water. One confirmed dead and many others missing.

UPDATE: Marc Ambinder has this:

Preliminary report that all six aboard helicopter have been rescued, reporting minor injuries. West 30th and Hudson River

Looks like we may have another "miracle on the Hudson".

UPDATE 2: That report may be premature. Eyewitnesses aren't saying anything about rescues. Still awaiting official word, however it now seems unlikely that there will be many survivors.

UPDATE 3: Witnesses report the plane, a Piper PA32 Cherokee, lost a wing and the rotor on the Eurocopter 350 was mangled. Both entered the water in uncontrolled flight and it's unlikely there will be survivors.

Just a side note - listening to news anchors who know nothing about aviation report and speculate on aviation accidents is really irritating. Just a constant litany of dumb questions. They always seem to be amazed that there are aircraft flying that aren't under the direct command of air traffic controllers.

UPDATE 4: Nine dead, no survivors from either aircraft. Three on the plane and 5 Italian tourists plus a pilot on the helicopter.