Guests rushed to hospital after helicopter crashes into a Cairns hotel
Two guests were taken to hospital in a stable condition after a helicopter crashed into the roof of a Cairns hotel.
Footage shows a fireball exploding into the sky after impact at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton at around 1.50am this morning.
The pilot has suffered life-threatening injuries.
The crash saw 300 to 400 people evacuated, with Queensland Ambulance Service confirming on social media: 'The building was evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries sustained by people on the ground.'
A tourist uploaded footage of the crash to social media, which shows the roof engulfed by flames, while clouds of black smoked spread from the top of the hotel.
The hotel is situated on the corners of Esplanade, Abbott and Florence Street, in Cairns City.
“The whole building is on fire,' said one woman.
“Did you see it? The helicopter... it's just crazy. I was just walking along there... I saw it going down,” she continued.
Guests stood in a nearby park helpless, but to watch as the flames rip through the hotel.
Queensland police have declared a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) and implemented an exclusion zone encompassing Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street, and Grafton Street. The public is advised to avoid the area while police investigate the incident.
One person noted on X that guests were 'sitting in evacuation centre at Hilton in Cairns, there has been no communication from authorities to we evacuees'.
Another told MailOnline: “I was on the other side of the hotel and was woken by a big bang.
“There was very little instruction from the police. We were gathered outside the hotel, told to walk to the RSL then The Riley then in another direction where we were marked off a roll by room number.
“We were then instructed to walk to the big Hilton or line up for a bus to that site. On arriving there we were directed to the ballroom area.
“At no time did anyone in authority give us any information about arrangements. Communication at that site was practically non-existent.”
Jonathan Jackson, 12th August 2024
