A helicopter pilot was killed when his plane crashed into a luxury hotel in Cairns. Two guests were injured. Hundreds had to evacuate the burning building.
Emergency services were called to the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in the far north Queensland city at 1.50am on Monday.
Queensland Ambulance confirmed that a helicopter had “crashed into the roof of a hotel” and between 300 and 400 people had been evacuated from the site.
The pilot, a man in his 40s, was killed, while two people who were in one of the rooms were taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
The helicopter is believed to have been part of the fleet of Nautilus Aviation, one of Australia’s leading helicopter operators.
According to sources, the helicopter may have been “stolen” because none of Nautilus Aviation’s accredited pilots were flying the aircraft.
“All pilots have been found,” the source told Daily Mail Australia.
Nautilus Aviation told the Courier Mail that it was an “unauthorized” flight.
The helicopter crashed into the roof of the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Cairns and caused a huge inferno (picture)
About 300 to 400 people were evacuated from the hotel. Others stood in a nearby park and watched in disbelief as the fire engulfed the building.
Veronica, who witnessed the crash, told 2GB that they saw the plane fly full force into the building.
“The next thing I remember is seeing it flying toward the hotel building and seeing the big explosion … it hit the building,” she said.
A tourist’s terrifying footage showed the roof engulfed in huge red and orange flames.
As the fire raged, huge black clouds of smoke rose from the roof of the hotel.
“The whole building is burning,” a woman was heard saying as flames were seen on the ground floor of the hotel.
“Did you see it? The helicopter… it’s just crazy. I was just walking along there… I saw it crash,” she continued.
Passersby also stood in a nearby park and watched as the flames ravaged the hotel.
An 83-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman were taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after being examined by paramedics.
Queensland Police enacted a Public Safety Act (PSPA) and established an exclusion zone covering Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street.
Queensland Ambulance Service Far Northern Region chief operating officer Caitlin Dennings said residents heard what sounded like a bomb exploding.
Queensland Police enacted a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) and established an exclusion zone covering Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street (pictured is a damaged room at the hotel).
Debris from the helicopter that crashed into the luxury hotel early Monday morning
“Unfortunately, it’s pretty scary to hear. I’d guess the sound of a helicopter crashing is before 2 a.m.,” she said.
“There are reports that it sounded like a bomb and that fire and smoke were seen. Many hotel guests were very unsure about the situation at the time.
“There is great unrest here in the evacuation center, which is located in a hotel further down.”
Hotel guest Alastair Salmon told ABC the noise of the crash was deafening, while his roommate Harry Holberton said debris was scattered in the area.
“There was debris all over the hotel, pieces of a windshield,” he said.
Ms Dennings added that paramedics had to wait for firefighters to inspect the building before they could enter the hotel and view the helicopter.
“The helicopter hit the roof of the hotel, but two propellers detached from the helicopter as it landed on the Cairns Esplanade,” she said.
“A second propeller was located in the hotel pool on the ground floor.”
“At the time of the incident, (hotel guests) were evacuated to Florence Street where they were picked up by buses and taken to a hotel in Cairns City where they were all evacuated to the lobby.”
The police are on site and have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has also launched an investigation.
The helicopter hit the roof of the hotel and two of its propellers came loose on impact
The police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident
A restricted area has been established covering Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street (pictured)
