New York helicopter pilot in crash that killed British tourist is 'convicted felon who stole thousands from restaurant safe'

The 56-year-old, who once ran an alarm company called Resco, is said to have used a torch to break into the safe of cocktail lounge in Staten Island in 1979.

He pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and grand larceny the following year and in January 1981  was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $2,500 restitution, according to the New York Post.

The claim comes after pictures emerged showing the dramatic rescue of two survivors of the helicopter crash on Tuesday.

Hanging on for life, Dudley and one of the passengers, Briton Paul Nicholson, hold the body of the craft before emergency workers arrive.

The pair are then thrown lifebelts from the nearby jetty before being dragged to the shore and taken to hospital.

The pictures were released today as it was revealed that Mr Dudley, an experienced pilot, shouted: ‘We’re going down’ as the helicopter crashed seconds after take-off killing a British tourist and injuring three others.

Investigators examining the wreckage of the helicopter believe the helicopter had lost part of its rotor blade when it recovered from the water.

It remains unclear whether the defect caused the helicopter to spin in the air moments before the crash, or whether the part broke off after the aircraft plunged into the water.

Mr Dudley, 56, lost control of the chopper, which then landed upside down in murky water yesterday, killing Sonia Marra and injuring her partner and parents.