Early Monday morning, a helicopter crashed into the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, Queensland, killing the pilot and forcing hundreds of guests to flee. The accident set up a fire on the roof and sent the guests of the well-known tourist hotel into a general frenzy.
Fatal Collision and Immediate Aftermath
At about 1:50 a.m. local time, the chopper landed on the DoubleTree’s roof owned by Hilton. The effect was disastrous, resulting in a significant fire and causing some 400 people to flee the structure. Sadly, the lone passenger of the helicopter—the pilot—was declared deceased at the site. Two hotel visitors—a man in his 80s and a lady in her 70s—who were sent to a local hospital in stable condition suffered injuries as well.
One hotel visitor who saw the incident detailed the pre-crash actions. “In the wet conditions, I watched the helicopter fly especially low without lights. It then spun around and struck the structure, she said. She said the crash’s impact was so strong the helicopter “blew up.”
Eyewitness Accounts and Impact
Witnesses said the aircraft looked out of control before the collision. “Boy, that was going fast, that helicopter,” one onlooker said after filming a video of the aftermath. It was unbelievably strange. Another spectator of the disorderly scene said, “It was just going out of control, that thing was.”
The wreckage strewn throughout the region indicated the degree of the impact. Two of the helicopter’s rotor blades were cut off upon collision and landed in the hotel pool and the esplanade. A spokesman for Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said the crash’s noise was frightening: “There have been reports it sounded like a bomb, and after seeing smoke and fire from that, a lot of the hotel occupants were very unsure about the situation.”
Tourist Reactions and Evacuation
Among the evacuations was London-based visitor Alastair Salmon. The collision sounded to him as “a colossal ear-deafening bang.” While staying at the motel, Salmon recalled the subsequent uncertainty and panic. “We mistook the helicopter’s rotor blade for a lamppost when it was down on the ground nearby. Then we turned to see this enormous hole in the building’s window.
Though quick, the departure was disorderly. As emergency authorities attended the event, several guests—including Salmon—were obliged to leave their rooms and assemble in a safe place outside the hotel. The hotel’s position on the major tourist attraction, Cairns’ main esplanade, increased the urgency of the matter.
Ongoing Investigation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is called to look at the collision. Initial accounts point to the helicopter flying “unauthorized” at the time of the tragedy. The firm in charge of chartering the aircraft, Nautilus Aviation, has declared that it will ultimately support the inquiry into the event. The business released a statement pledging to cooperate with coordinate authorities as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Emergency Measures and City Impact
Local officials have closed roads surrounding the DoubleTree by Hilton in reaction to the collision. Police declared an emergency as they tried to guard the area and guarantee the safety of the surviving visitors and locals. Renowned for its closeness to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns has suffered much from this sad tragedy.
Apart from shocking the nearby population, the incident has attracted interest from visitors and journalists worldwide. Authorities are still investigating the exact reason for the incident and assessing the safety procedures taken by the helicopter charter firm. The emphasis will still be on revealing the specifics of this sad disaster and ensuring such incidents are avoided as Cairns starts to heal from the event.
