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Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on August 12, 2024
Pilot dies as helicopter crashes into Australian hotel roof, sparking evacuation
Emergency services responded quickly to the crash, with two hotel guests being taken to the hospital.
In response to the crash, police cordoned off streets around the hotel. (AP photo/Representational)
A pilot was killed early Monday morning when their helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:50 am local time (16:50 Sunday), leading to a fire that forced the evacuation of hundreds of guests from the hotel.
Queensland Police confirmed that the helicopter’s sole occupant died at the scene.
Emergency services responded quickly to the crash, with two hotel guests—a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s—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 clear.
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
The crash caused significant damage to the hotel and its surrounding area.
Two of the helicopter’s rotor blades detached during the impact, with one landing on the esplanade and the other in the hotel’s pool, according to reports from The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
British tourist Alastair Salmon, who was staying at the hotel, described the moment of the crash. “I woke up to a colossal ear-deafening bang,” he told ABC.
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After being evacuated, Salmon initially mistook one of the fallen rotor blades for a lamppost. “Then we looked up there and you could see this massive hole in the window of the building,” he added, describing the scene as surreal and chaotic.
In response to the crash, police cordoned off streets around the hotel and declared an emergency situation.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) announced that it would be sending investigators to the scene to determine the cause of the crash.
The ATSB’s 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 a similar incident in the future.
Authorities continue their investigation.
(With inputs from ABC and BBC)
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
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