New York attacker linked to IS, radicalised domestically: Governor Andrew Cuomo

New York governor Andrew Mark Cuomo said Uzbek national who had driven a truck through a cycle path, killing eight people, was associated with Islamic State but was "radicalised domestically".

"He's a depraved coward is what he is, and he was associated with ISIS, and he was radicalised domestically, and he's a depraved coward," Cuomo said in an interview with CNN.

29-year-old Uzbek citizen Sayfullo Saipov drove this truck through a cycle path killing pedestrians and cyclists in New York on Tuesday afternoon.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack a "cowardly act of terror". 

Governor Andrew Cuomo had earlier said it a 'lone wolf' attack and that there was no evidence to suggest it was part of a wider plot.

At least two children were killed in the attack. Sayfullo Saipov, an Uber driver was shot in the abdomen by police on the spot and taken into custody and later underwent surgery. He is reportedly still unconscious.

Meanwhile, the New York Marathon will be held as planned, Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference. He said security will be heavily stepped up for the race involving more than 50,000 runners.