Rescue helicopter crashes off Rio's Copacabana beach

1 January 2013 Last updated at 04:13 ET Help

Dramatic footage has emerged of the moment a rescue helicopter plunged into the sea at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro during an attempt to help a swimmer who was in trouble.

The video was taken by a Brazilian tourist - one of hundreds of beach-goers who witnessed the drama.

David Petale reports.

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