Garden centre boss identified as one of three injured in Echuca helicopter crash

The founder of an Echuca garden centre has been identified as one of the three people injured in a helicopter crash.

The founder of an Echuca garden centre has been identified as one of three people injured in a helicopter crash near the Victorian-NSW border.

Gavan Kennaugh, 62, is understood to have been piloting the aircraft when it crashed in a private paddock on Simmie Rd about 4.20pm on June 25.

Mr Kennaugh and two other Echuca residents, a man aged in his 60s and a woman in her 50s, were pulled from the wreckage before being rushed to hospital.

The cause of the crash has not been determined.

For more than 40 years, the Echuca man has operated businesses in earthmoving, landscaping and gardening building a well-respected local enterprise.

On Monday, a spokeswoman for Echuca Regional Health said the 62-year-old man was recovering well after the crash and was expected to be discharged.

Another man in his 60s, also injured in the crash, was flown to the Alfred hospital in Melbourne with life-threatening injuries.

This week the hospital confirmed he remains in a critical but stable condition.

The third injured person, a woman in her 50s, was taken by ambulance to Shepparton hospital in a stable condition and has since been discharged.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the helicopter crashed on private property and was being investigated by police.

A spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the Bureau has been notified but are yet to start a formal investigation.

“The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is continuing to gather further information, including a report from the pilot, into the circumstances of the accident,” he said.

Mr Kennaugh was approached for comment.