Brisbane, Australia CNN —A helicopter crashed onto the roof of a seaside hotel in Cairns, Australia, in the early hours of Monday, killing the pilot, authorities said, as video showed flames and smoke billowing into the night sky.
Police tape around an area in Cairns, Australia, after a helicopter crash on August 12, 2024.
As she pulled out her phone to film it, the helicopter veered and headed straight towards the nearby well-lit buildings.
Witness Veronica Knight heard two explosions when the helicopter hit the hotel – the first on impact followed by a smaller explosion a short time later.
Knight said the helicopter had passed over trees and another taller building before hitting the roof of the seven-story hotel.
Persons:
Australia CNN —, Veronica Knight, Knight, “, ”, –, Hilton Cairns
Organizations:
Australia CNN, Hilton Hotel, Police, Nautilus Aviation, CNN, . Police, DoubleTree, Australian Transport Safety Bureau
Locations:
Brisbane, Australia, Cairns , Australia, Cairns Esplanade, Queensland, Cairns, Sydney