A second woman has died as a result of the East River helicopter crash last Tuesday.
Helen Tamaki, a passenger in the sightseeing helicopter that took off from the 34th Street heliport and then plunged into the river Oct. 4, died from injuries she sustained in the crash, Bellevue Hospital confirmed Wednesday.
Tamaki's official cause of death was listed as complications from near-drowning, according to the medical examiner's office. She died at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Tamaki's girlfriend, Sonia Marra, died in the river when she became trapped in the helicopter. Her body was found in the water about an hour after the crash.
Marra was in New York City with her parents and Tamaki to celebrate her 40th birthday. The four had taken off in a helicopter to tour the city.
Marra's 60-year-old mother, Harriet Nicholson, and her 71-year-old stepfather Paul Nicholson, survived the crash.
Tamaki initially survived the crash as well, but was listed in critical condition.
Authorities said the helicopter, piloted by Paul Dudley, had just taken off from the 34th Street heliport at 3:17 p.m. with five people aboard when it turned around after unknown issues in the air.
Dudley tried to turn back but crashed into the water just north of the landing pad, authorities said.
The Nicholsons are originally from England but were living in Portugal.
The family released a statement three days after the crash thanking the city of New York and its rescuers.
"Sonia was loving her first experience of New York, the city and its people," her family said. "She was incredibly happy to be here and it gives us some comfort to remember that. We are a strong family and will cope with our loss in our own way."
The family also thanked the rescue teams "who acted with great courage," along with hospital staff and NYPD "for their compassion, kindness and great care."
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and questioned the pilot, Paul Dudley, for several hours last Wednesday. Dudley is a friend of the family.
Investigators are looking into the winds at the time of the crash, as well as the weight allowances for the aircraft.
Nothing has been ruled out, investigators said, but the engine has not shown signs of catastrophic failure, and there is no indication of a fire.
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