- Pilot killed as chopper crashes into Australian hotel
- The crash ignited a fire and forced the evacuation of hundreds of hotel guests
- Queensland Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are investigating the incident
- The company that charters the helicopter, stated that the flight was “unauthorised” and is cooperating with the investigation
Pilot killed as chopper crashes into Australian hotel
A helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, northern Queensland, early Monday morning, resulting in the death of the pilot. The crash, which occurred around 01:50 am local time, ignited a fire and forced the evacuation of hundreds of hotel guests.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, died at the scene. Two hotel guests, an elderly man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Queensland Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are investigating the incident. Nautilus Aviation, the company that charters the helicopter, stated that the flight was “unauthorised” and is cooperating with the investigation.
In response to the crash, police have cordoned off streets around the hotel and declared an emergency situation. Cairns, a popular tourist destination known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, remains on high alert as investigations continue.
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