>> annabell roberts in glasgow tonight. thanks. >>> an elderly american being held by north korea appeared in a video released today as the united states appealed for his release. we get the story now from nbc's joe fryer. >> reporter: the video released by north korea state media shows 85-year-old merrill newman now detained more than a month reading an apology. he asks for forgiveness for allegedly killing north korean soldiers and civilians during the korean war. the video shows newman stamping the statement with red thumbprints, but it couldn't be confirmed if newman wrote the apology. diplomatic experts say the video could be a sign. >> this may be a prelude to figuring out what it can extract from the united states for this release and then the release. >> reporter: newman, a korean war veteran dreamed of visiting north korea. last month he fulfilled the dream, touring with a friend. relatives say he was on a plane getting ready to leave when a north korean military officer took him into custody. last week newman's wi

annabelle roberts is about a block away from the scene of the crash. they're seeing inside that pub? >> reporter: alex, good evening. well, police are describing the scene behind me as a very dangerous and complicated situation. you may be able to see the rescue work is continuing. this evening. eyewitnesses described clearly the moment the helicopter they say plunged like a stone out of the sky, tumbling down, landing on the roof of the pub. police have confirmed the three people in the helicopter, a civilian pilot and two police officers were killed. they also say five more people were killed inside the bar. the bar itself is a very popular live music venue here in glasgow. more than 100 people were inside last night when the helicopter hit. those who have survived described thick clouds of smoke. it's worth remembering, alex, that tonight 14 people are still in hospital, police say they're in serious condition. and there is every likelihood, i'm afraid to say that the death toll may rise. >> annabelle, you talk about this helicopter dropping silently

for "today," annabel roberts, london. >> welcome to new york. >> thank you. >> i have been thrilled alls passion and talent for music? >> well, i think i always loved music even from when i was born. but when i was 13 '3 and i listened to this beautiful lullaby and i loved it. i said to my parents how can music be so beautiful. >> that's a good question. >> some of us are saying that as we listen to you. your music is so beautiful. you write this. in a little bit you'll play a song that you composed. how does that come to you? how does that happen? >> well, the funny thing is i try to do beautiful melodies and it usually never comes and my mind goes blank. when i'm resting or even in bed or skipping with my rope, then melodies stream into my head. for example, a few days ago when i was in bed resting in the middle of the night, i got this beautiful melody. ♪ and i got out of bed and i wrote it in my pencil in the night, and it took quite a long time. the next day breakfast, my parents wondered why i look so sleepy. >> you have a beautiful sleeping voice. people keep calling you the next

. >> annabel roberts has the latest for us. >> reporter: the rescue efforts are ongoing.lex and dangerous operation. it's not known or they're not saying whether they believe that anyone else is still trapped beneath the rubble. but as the helicopter landed on the roof of the bar, the roof collapsed. and there is concern that the rest of the structure of the building may collapse. so they're going very carefully, picking through the rubble and really waiting for the helicopter to be removed before they can say kons vincingly whether or not anyone else is trapped. as you said, we know that the three people who were traveling in the helicopter, the pilot and two officers were killed. also two people in the building. 14 other people are being treated in hospitals across the city in very serious condition tonight. >> we appreciate the update, thank you so much. >>> other top stories making news now. north korea has released new video showing a u.s. war veteran who has been held captive in the country more than a month in it. 85-year-old merrill newman apologizes for alleged c