1 Dead After ‘Unauthorized’ Helicopter Flight Crashes onto Roof of Hotel
The pilot, who was the only occupant of the aircraft, was declared dead at the scene
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)/AFP via Getty
The damage after a helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in Cairns on August 12, 2024One person has died after a helicopter crashed onto the roof of a hotel in Cairns, Australia on Monday, Aug. 12.
In a statement, the Queensland Police Service confirmed that the pilot, who was the only occupant of the aircraft, was declared dead at the scene after the helicopter collided with the hotel roof.
“Police are investigating following a fatal aviation incident in Cairns City this morning, August 12,” police said in their statement. “Emergency services were called to the intersection of The Esplanade and Florence Street around 1:50 am following reports a twin engine Helicopter colliding with the roof of a hotel.”
Despite the collision resulting in a “fire on top of the hotel,” guests at the location and members of the public on the ground sustained no injuries after an evacuation was carried out, the police statement added.
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)/AFP via Getty
A piece of the helicopter lying on a roadside after a helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in Cairns on August 12, 2024Related: Missing Military Helicopter Found in California as Search for 5 Marines Continues
"The pilot and single occupant of the aircraft was located and declared deceased at the scene, and forensic investigations are underway to formally identify them,” the Queensland Police continued.
“An exclusion zone remains in place encompassing The Esplanade, Minnie Street, Abbott Street and Florence Street," they added.
Shane Holmes, acting chief superintendent of the Queensland Police Service, told reporters, per 10 News First Queensland, that two hotel guests received treatment for “minor injuries” that were sustained from the impact of the collision.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)/AFP via Getty
The damage after a helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in Cairns on August 12, 2024Related: Helicopter Crashes Into Fla. Apartment Building, Killing Fire Rescue Captain and Resident
He added that the aircraft had been taken from a general aviation hangar and “was an unauthorized flight.”
The outlet also added that the crash took place at a Double Tree Hotel by Hilton.
PEOPLE has contacted the Queensland Police Service for further comment.
“Police have declared a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) in Cairns City due to an aviation incident this morning, August 12,” a second release from Queensland Police Service stated early Monday morning.
“The PSPA has an updated exclusion zone encompassing Esplanade, Minnie Street, Abbott Street and Florence Street.”
An investigation into the events is ongoing.
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