SYDNEY, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) — The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into the roof of a hotel in Australia’s Far North Queensland early Monday morning has died and two others were injured in the incident, local media reported.
The pilot was a man in his 40s, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, adding that an 83-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Police declared a state of emergency around the DoubleTree by Hilton on the Cairns Esplanade and evacuated up to 400 people after the crash, according to Australian broadcaster ABC News.
The Cairns Post had previously reported serious concerns about the pilot, who was treated at the scene and has life-threatening injuries.
According to the report, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s who were staying in a hotel room near the crash site suffered smoke inhalation. They were treated for their injuries and taken to Cairns Hospital for further medical treatment.
The pilot was on an “unauthorized” flight, ABC News reported, citing Nautilus Aviation, a company known for its private charters and tours.
“Nautilus Aviation is working closely with Queensland Police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other authorities as they investigate the unauthorised use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of this morning,” the company said. End
