Helicopter crashes into water off coast near Point Lonsdale, Victoria
Three people have been seriously injured in a helicopter crash off the coast of Victoria, with a jogger reportedly racing in to help rescue the survivors.
Police have confirmed three people were on-board the aircraft when it crashed off into the sea near Point Lonsdale just after 10am on Friday.
“It’s believed the chopper was seen crashing into water off Fellows Road just after 10am,” a statement from Victoria Police said.
“All three people managed to make it to shore and were located by passers-by who contacted emergency services”.
A man and a woman were flown to Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries. Another man, also suffering serious injuries, was transported to Geelong University Hospital by ambulance.
All three people are yet to be formally identified.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined at this stage,” police said.
Witnesses reported seeing a male pilot and two passengers – a man and a woman – pulled from the wreckage after the helicopter crashed between 30m and 50m from the shoreline, per The Geelong Advertiser.
A jogger who was running past the scene said he spotted the pilot waving from the ocean and waded into the water to help rescue the female passenger.
“They were flying low over the ocean and then crashed just off the shore,” he told the masthead.
“It’s really sad, they weren’t in a good way. The passengers were in shock and couldn’t walk. The pilot could walk but seemed beat up.”
Paramedics remained on scene after the crash, working alongside other emergency services.
Point Lonsdale is located on the Bellarine Peninsula, near Queenscliff.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the crash with assistance from police.
It comes after the death of a 62-year-old Ocean Grove woman, whose body was found in waters off Point Lonsdale on Thursday.
More to come.