Helicopter crash in Australia: A helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, early Monday morning, resulting in the death of the pilot. The incident occurred around 1:50 am local time, leading to a fire that forced hundreds of hotel guests to evacuate.
Queensland Police confirmed that the helicopter’s sole occupant, the pilot, died at the scene. Emergency services responded swiftly, with two hotel guests, an elderly man and a woman, being taken to the hospital. The Queensland Ambulance Service reported that both were in stable condition, though the extent of their injuries was not immediately known.
The crash caused considerable damage to the hotel and the surrounding area. Reports from The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) mentioned that two of the helicopter’s rotor blades detached during the crash, with one landing on the esplanade and the other in the hotel’s pool.
Police are investigating following a fatal aviation incident in Cairns City this morning, August 12.https://t.co/UttWxoChiI pic.twitter.com/e6daFy7TL7
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) August 11, 2024
A British tourist, Alastair Salmon, who was staying at the hotel, described the experience as shocking. He said, “I woke up to a colossal ear-deafening bang,” recalling the terrifying moment. After being evacuated, he initially mistook one of the fallen rotor blades for a lamppost. He added, “Then we looked up there and you could see this massive hole in the window of the building,” describing the scene as surreal and chaotic.
In response to the crash, police cordoned off streets around the hotel and declared an emergency. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) announced that it would be sending investigators to the site to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation will focus on understanding what led to the helicopter’s collision with the hotel and ensuring that any safety recommendations are implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
