A tour helicopter collided with a small plane and both crashed outside Hoboken, New Jersey, it was reported yesterday.

The US coastguard said one person was rescued from the water, while police divers were looking for others.

An eyewitness told a local TV station he saw a wing come off the plane just before collision. Debris from the crash was sent falling into the Hudson river.

CNN said there were six people on board the helicopter at the time of the incident. The weather conditions were reported to be clear and mild.

The helicopter was operated by Liberty Helicopter, according to local media. The company says on its website that it is the largest sightseeing and charter helicopter operator in the US Northeast.

In January, a US Airways jet with more than 150 people on board crashed into the Hudson river after apparently hitting a flock of geese. All aboard survived. Reuters