Man dies in helicopter crash in South Maroota

A helicopter pilot who died in a crash this morning near Windsor has been remembered as a “kind and generous” man.

A helicopter pilot has died after crashing his aircraft north of Sydney this morning.

Emergency services were called to remote bushland off Tuff Hill Lane, South Maroota shortly before 11.50am on Saturday, with several agencies making their way through difficult terrain and flood-affected bushland to reach the site.

The helicopter was on fire when emergency crews arrived, with the blaze extinguished by the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Sydney news helicopter pilot Andrew Millett spotted the wreckage while flying nearby.

“As soon as we got to the aircraft we could see there had been an immense impact, something that was clearly not survivable. We were obviously hoping for the best,” Mr Millett told Nine News.

Mr Millet said he had known the pilot, who is believed to be a man aged in his 60s, for more than 10 years.

“He was such a great guy. He was one of those blokes who would drop everything to help anyone in need and would always have this friendly nature about him. He was kind and generous.”

A helicopter pilot died in a crash north of Sydney. Source: Nine News

Police said they had found the body of the man in the wreckage but he is yet to be formally identified. There were no other passengers.

Officers attached to Hawkesbury Police Area Command, PolAir, Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance helicopter, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW SES and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter participated in the operation.

A crime scene was established and will be held under police guard overnight, with a recovery operation and investigations to continue tomorrow.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified and will lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.