A dramatic video has emerged from China of a helicopter crashing into a river.

In the footage, captured in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province last Wednesday, a helicopter can be seen hovering over Nenjiang River before it crashes and catches fire.

According to local reports, the helicopter hit a tourist as it fell into the river causing injury.

The two helicopter passengers and the pilot swam to escape after the crash while firefighters extinguished the fire.