A helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, northern Australia, on Monday night, causing a massive fire and the evacuation of hundreds of guests. The incident happened around 01:50 local time, which led to the tragic death of the pilot and the only passenger of the helicopter.
Firefighters and rescuers who quickly arrived at the scene reported that one of the helicopter’s blades fell into the hotel pool, and the other fell onto the esplanade in front of the building. Two people who were injured were taken to hospital in stable condition.
Caitlin Denning, a representative of the local rescue service, said that, fortunately, no one was injured among the people on the ground. At the same time, the police are conducting forensic examinations for the official identification of the dead.
According to the police, the pilot made an “unauthorized” flight, which is currently under investigation. Nautilus Aviation, known for its private tours and charters, confirmed that it was their helicopter.
Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, who are investigating the cause of the accident, have already arrived at the scene.
Cairns, located in north Queensland, is a popular tourist destination and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, adding even more attention to this tragic event.
