Helicopter Crashes on Hotel Roof in Cairns

In a shocking turn of events, a helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns early this morning. The accident took place just before 2 AM, causing widespread panic and leading to the evacuation of about 400 guests.

Witnesses described a loud bang that sounded like a bomb going off. Hotel guest Alastair Salmon, who was visiting from London, recounted how he first mistook a helicopter propeller for a lamppost. Alongside him, his friend Harry Holberton said it felt like the whole building shook.

Upon hearing the collision, alarms began blaring, and police rushed in, urging everyone to evacuate the building immediately. Smoke and flames could be seen rising from the hotel, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion among the guests.

Emergency crews quickly assessed the scene, reporting that two of the helicopter’s propellers had come off, landing on the esplanade and inside the hotel pool. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported among the people on the ground, although two individuals from the hotel, an elderly man and woman, were taken to Cairns Hospital in stable condition.

The pilot’s condition remains unclear, and it was earlier believed there was only one person on board the helicopter during the incident. As the situation unfolded, Caitlin Denning, a senior operations supervisor with Queensland Ambulance, addressed the media, describing the atmosphere at the crash site as “uneasy.”

Queensland police established an exclusion zone around the hotel, advising the public to steer clear while they investigate the cause of the crash. A spokesperson confirmed that evacuation efforts were underway and the situation was being closely monitored.