A pilot has died after a stolen helicopter crashed onto the roof of a hotel in Cairns, a popular holiday destination in Australia.
Dramatic footage captured the aftermath of the crash, showing a large fire raging on the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel around 2 a.m. local time.
Hundreds of hotel guests were evacuated as emergency services responded to the scene. Queensland Police confirmed that the pilot was found dead at the site, and formal identification is currently underway.
The helicopter, confirmed by its owner, Nautilus Aviation, to have been stolen, crashed after losing two rotor blades, which fell onto the esplanade and into the hotel’s pool. Fortunately, no one on the ground was injured.
Nautilus Aviation, a charter company, stated that the helicopter had been taken on an “unauthorized flight.” Aaron Finn, the CEO of Nautilus Aviation, confirmed that all company pilots had been accounted for and that they are cooperating with police and transport safety authorities to investigate the incident.
Queensland Police Service Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes mentioned that the helicopter was removed from a general aviation hangar and that the flight was unauthorized. He declined to comment on the helicopter’s speed or whether the pilot was licensed.
Two hotel guests, an 80-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman, were taken to a local hospital in stable condition and have since been discharged.
