A sightseeing helicopter with pontoons crashed into theHudson River about 50 yards north of the Lincoln Tunnel onSaturday, authorities said. Witnesses reported seeing a black helicopter go straight downinto the water. The helicopter took off from Manhattan, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The Coast Guard says eight people, including the pilot were rescued from the waters between Manhattan and New Jersey after the aircraft went down at about 5 p.m. There were reports of minor injuries, but authorities did not say where the rescued were being taken. Red rescue rafts motored through the water from Manhattan toreach the scene, and pleasure boats in the area made U-turns andheaded down river to avoid the area.

AP wire reports contributed to this article