Pilot dies after helicopter crash in hotel. Was at a party hours earlier

A Nautilus Aviation pilot who died in a helicopter crash on the roof of a hotel in Cairns, Australia on Monday, August 12, had reportedly attended a party with other Nautilus Aviation crew members a few hours earlier.

Nautilus Aviation told BBC and Sky News that the deceased employee – whose identity has not yet been released by authorities – had been celebrating with other company crew members at a farewell party a few hours before the crash.

The company, which also pointed out that the party was “organized by friends” and not a “work event,” said the pilot later gained “unauthorized access to our helicopter hangar.”

The pilot later died when the helicopter he was in collided with the roof of a hotel on the morning of August 12, Queensland police said in a statement.

“At approximately 1:50 a.m., emergency services were called to the intersection of The Esplanade and Florence Street following reports that a twin-engine helicopter had collided with the roof of a hotel,” police said.

Queensland Police further stated: “The pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft were found at the scene of the accident and pronounced deceased. Forensic examinations are currently underway to formally establish their identification.”

Nautilus Aviation also told the BBC that although the pilot had a licence to fly helicopters in New Zealand, he had never flown a helicopter in Australia and had recently been promoted to “ground crew” at one of the company’s bases.

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The company said it was working with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to investigate the incident and expressed its “condolences” to those involved.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and all those affected by this tragedy and continue to offer our support to our employees during this extremely difficult time,” their statement said.

Nautilus Aviation did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Queensland Police told PEOPLE that “no further details are available” beyond what has already been released.

Queensland Police said in their statement that the helicopter’s collision with the hotel caused a “fire on the roof of the hotel” and required the evacuation of guests inside.

Shane Holmes, acting Chief Superintendent of the Queensland Police Service, told reporters earlier that 10 News First Queensland that two hotel guests were treated for “minor injuries” sustained by the force of the impact, noting that no one else was injured.

Holmes confirmed to reporters that the plane was stolen from a general aviation hangar and that “it was an unauthorized flight,” echoing Nautilus Aviation’s statement.

According to the news agency, Queensland Police said investigations into the incident were ongoing.