Australia: Helicopter crashes into Cairns hotel roof
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A helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in Cairns, Australia, igniting a blaze on top of the building and forcing it to be cleared. Hundreds of patrons were inside. Police said the pilot died.
Police in Cairns said a helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in the city, starting a fire and forcing hundreds of patrons out of the building as a precaution.
The crash took place at around 1:50 a.m. local time on Monday.
Pilot declared dead at scene, debris fell to ground
“The pilot and single occupant of the aircraft was located and declared deceased at the scene, and forensic investigations are underway to formally identify him,” Cairns police said in a statement.
Police also said that there were no injuries on the ground.
Pieces of the helicopter’s rotor blades landed in the Double Tree Hotel pool, an emergency services official said.
