A helicopter plunges into the sea just feet away from swimmers in heart-stopping footage released by police.
The chopper descends rapidly from the sky in the middle of the afternoon and plunges into the crystal-clear blue waters which are packed with hundreds of swimmers and families playing in the blistering sunshine.
The Miami Beach PD police team shared the video of the drama which took place on Miami's famous South Beach in Florida, US, on Saturday afternoon.
It shows the chopper hit the water sending a huge splash into the air but, amazingly, no-one is killed by the impact.
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Local media reports that two people who were in the helicopter were taken to hospital.
They were said to be in a stable condition.
Police closed off a section of the beach while an investigation was carried out and the Federal Aviation Authority is set to launch its own investigation.
Miami Beach Police tweeted: "This afternoon at 1.10 pm, MBPD received a call of a helicopter crash in the ocean near 10 Street.
"Police and @MiamiBeachFire responded to the scene along with several partner agencies.
"Two occupants have been transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
"The beach area between 9 to 11 Street is currently closed. The FAA is responding to the scene.
"There were three passengers onboard. Two were transported to the hospital."
It is unclear what caused the crash or if the helicopter was a commercial or public aircraft.
Heroic onlookers on jet skis were said to have powered over to the site of the crash to help the injured occupants of the chopper, arriving seconds after impact, while boats arrived at the site moments afterwards.
Shocked onlookers took to Twitter to respond to the video.
One wrote: "It was a bit close to the public but in that moment pilot was just thinking what can I do to survive.
"Crashing in the water was smart and lives saved no deaths this is good news for a change." [sic]
Another wrote: "Saw this live, it was surreal."
Another Twitter user speculated: "He probably was having engine trouble & went as far away from crowds as he could. When he ran out of lift.. he ditched it in the water... far enough from people and still in shallow enough water to save/recover the craft. I think he did a spectacular job... if that's the case!" [sic]
