Waterbombing aircraft crash-lands fighting bushfires in Queensland
A waterbombing aircraft has crash-landed while fighting a bushfire in Queensland, injuring the occupant on board. Firefighters have established an exclusion zone around the crash site with concern over the helicopter’s fuel.
QLD News
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A WATERBOMBING aircraft has crash-landed while fighting a bushfire at Pechey near Toowoomba.
The helicopter crashed as it attempted to land at 1.52pm, injuring one person on board.
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Paramedics treated the pilot for minor injuries after the aircraft “landed heavily”.
QAS Senior Operations Supervisor Mark Hancock said the helicopter incident happened about 1.50pm.
“On scene we found a male patient, the only person on board the helicopter was the pilot with minor injuries,” he said.
“The patient was assessed at the scene by paramedics and further by Lifeflight doctor and paramedics.
“The patient was confirmed as minor injuries and was transported by road to Toowoomba Base Hospital.”
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services set-up a safety zone around the aircraft after concern about the fuel inside the aircraft.
The helicopter was owned by Sunshine Coast company McDermott Aviation.
McDermott Aviation managing director Simon McDermott said other waterbombing helicopters had seen the pilot walking around the craft after the incident.
He was the only person who had been on board at the time.
“The pilot’s okay and that’s all we are worried about at the moment,” he said.
The ATSB confirmed the helicopter involved was a Bell 214B.
“The ATSB has been notified of a collision with terrain involving a Bell 214B helicopter conducting firefighting operations at Pechey, near Toowoomba, on Wednesday afternoon,” an ATSB spokesperson said.
“The ATSB will gather further information into the circumstances of the accident ahead of deciding whether to launch a formal air safety investigation.”
Pechey residents had previously been issued a leave immediately notice due to the intensifying bushfire threat.
“Currently as at 5.10pm, Wednesday 13 November, a fast-moving fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction between Pechey and Hampton,” a QFES alert said.
“It is expected to impact Deeth Road, Lanyon Road, Williams Road and Pechey Forestry Road, Pechey in the coming hours. The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community.
We’re getting chopper vision of the water-bombing helicopter which crashed at Pechey on the Darling Downs. The pilot is in a stable condition. pic.twitter.com/ygIwQ5soTu
— Dan Smith (@0DanSmith) November 13, 2019
“Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing. The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path. Fire crews may not be able to protect your property.
“You should not expect a firefighter at your door: Act now. Power, water, and mobile phone service may be lost and road conditions may become very dangerous over the next several hours.
Regional Council has opened the Highfields Aquatic and Fitness Centre as an emergency evacuation centre for residents affected by the Pechey bushfire, near Hampton.
All normal operations of the centre have ceased until further notice.
TRC has advised residents who are evacuating to the centre to travel along the New England Hwy.
The centre is located at O’Brien Rd, Highfields.
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