A helicopter has crashed into a building in Midtown Manhattan in New York.

Authorities searching for two escaped killers who have been on the loose for the better part of a week have admitted they remain in the dark about the pair’s whereabouts.

A winter storm with fierce winds has struck the north eastern United States dumping nearly two feet of snow in some parts and whipping up blizzard-like conditions.

Eye witnesses claim a train that derailed in New York yesterday, killing four people, was travelling faster than normal.

New Yorkers are being offered free travel on subways, buses and commuter trains as the city tries to help ease recovery from the chaos caused by superstorm Sandy.