Brisbane, Australia
CNN
 — 

A helicopter crashed onto the roof of a seaside lodge in Cairns, Australia, within the early hours of Monday, killing the pilot, authorities stated, as video confirmed flames and smoke billowing into the evening sky.

Visitors of the luxurious DoubleTree Hilton Lodge had been evacuated into the road after the helicopter crashed into the constructing close to Cairns Esplanade, a waterfront boardwalk common with vacationers within the north Queensland metropolis.

Police have cordoned off the realm within the busy vacationer strip, and constitution firm Nautilus Aviation stated it was working with officers as they examine the “unauthorized use” of one of many firm’s plane.

Witness Veronica Knight, who was visiting Cairns from Sydney, was sitting on the esplanade, speaking on the cellphone after midnight, when she noticed a helicopter fly by very low over the water.

It was going “full pace,” she instructed CNN. It disappeared from her sight for a couple of minutes, and she or he began strolling residence earlier than seeing the helicopter flying again. As she pulled out her cellphone to movie it, the helicopter veered and headed straight in the direction of the close by well-lit buildings.

Seconds later, it hit the roof of the lodge.

Police stated in an announcement they acquired reviews at 1:50 a.m. of the crash, which triggered a fireplace on prime of the constructing. The lodge was evacuated, and no person was injured, police stated – although Knight added that the company “regarded shocked” as they left the constructing.

Her movies present the orange glow of flames and smoke coming from the highest of the lodge, whereas sirens wail within the distance.

The pilot – and sole occupant of the helicopter – was declared useless on the scene, police stated.

Knight stated the helicopter had handed over bushes and one other taller constructing earlier than hitting the roof of the seven-story lodge.

“[The pilot] would have identified these buildings had been there,” stated Knight.  “The unusual factor is it went straight previous a tall constructing close by, and it went straight previous the tall one and bought a decrease one. “

Police have declared an exclusion zone within the space, urging the general public to remain away.

Different investigators embrace the forensic crash unit and the Australian Transport Security Bureau (ATSB), which despatched a staff to the crash website on Monday to assemble proof and conduct interviews.

The bureau requested witnesses with any photographs or movies of the helicopter to contact authorities via the ATSB web site.