AKIPRESS.COM - A tourist helicopter plunged into the East River on Sunday night, killing two passengers and ​leaving three ​clinging to life after they were ​trapped inside the sinking vessel while the pilot scrambled to safety, NYPost reported citing police.

The Eurocopter AS350 went down around 88th Street, near Gracie Mansion, at about 7:15 p.m., sources said.

The pilot was able to get out and climb aboard a raft — but five others remained trapped inside the upside-down helicopter because they were strapped into their seats, FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro said during a Sunday night press conference.

“There was about a minute where we didn’t see anyone come out,” witness Brianna Jesme, 22, told The Post. “Then after a minute, we saw a man come out holding onto a raft screaming: ‘Help! help! Ah!’ and then inaudible screams.

“It was horrifying.”

Two people were pronounced dead on the scene — three others were hospitalized in critical condition, ​FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.