Cairns emergency: Late night chopper crash into hotel roof; 400 evacuated
An emergency declaration has been triggered after a helicopter crashed into the roof of a hotel in Queensland’s far north.
Police have declared a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) in Cairns after the chopper crashed into the building shortly before 2am on Monday.
The PSPA has an exclusion zone encompassing the city’s Esplanade and Minnie, Aplin and Grafton streets.
Queensland Ambulance senior operations supervisor in Cairns Caitlin Denning said between 300 and 400 people were being evacuated from the Double Tree Hotel as crews were arriving.
“At the time, it was too unsafe for us to enter the hotel to view the (impact site),” she told reporters.
“The helicopter impacted the roof of the hotel, however two propellers have dislodged.
“One landed on the Cairns Esplanade and there was a second propeller located in the hotel pool on the bottom floor and it was on fire.”
Members of the public are being warned to avoid the area.
There are no reports of injuries sustained by people on the ground, police say.
No word has been issued about the fate of those on board the helicopter.
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Ms Denning said the noise generated by the impact was frightening.
“There were reports of it sounding like a bomb, and seeing the fire and smoke, a lot of the occupants of the hotel were unsure of the situation.
“There is a lot of unease here.”
Officers are on scene investigating the circumstances of the incident.
