From your link....
...The pilot freed himself and was taken to a hospital in “OK” condition, New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigron told reporters Sunday night. The pilot was later named 33-year-old Richard Vance.
The cause of the crash, which occurred at about 7 p.m. north of Roosevelt Island between Queens and Manhattan, remained unclear.
The chopper, which was operated by Liberty Helicopters, was being used for a photo shoot, Police Commissioner James O’Neill said. A message left with the New York City-based company seeking comment was not immediately returned....
.....Nigron described removing the passengers from the chopper as “one of the most difficult parts” of the search and rescue operation.
Everyone but the pilot was “tightly harnessed,” he said. “These harnesses had to be cut and removed in order to get them off this helicopter, which was upside down at the time and completely submerged.”
That water was 50 feet deep, below 40 degrees and moving at 4 mph, he added.
“It took a while for the divers to get the people out,” Nigron said.
Again....prayers up, for all. So very sad.
Not sure why they had to be cut, they aren't that difficult to uncouple.