An instructor has died, and a teenage student pilot is in a critical condition after the helicopter conducting a training flight hurtled towards powerlines, crashing onto a busy street in Sydney’s south-west on Friday afternoon.
Footage obtained by Nine News shows the moment the helicopter began hurtling towards the street, just outside Bankstown Airport, crashing into a tree and then a car below, before concerned locals rushed over to help.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 1.30pm after reports of a helicopter crash.
A male instructor was treated by paramedics, but was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
The scene of the helicopter crash on Birch Street, Bankstown.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
The 19-year-old male, the student pilot, was also treated for serious injuries before he was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition. He had head and facial injuries, as well as possible spinal injuries, NSW Ambulance said.
The damaged car and crashed helicopter.Credit: Nine News
Aerial images show the helicopter split in two, having sustained heavy damage to its passenger pit. The car’s boot was damaged.
Aerial images captured by Nine News show the helicopter split into two next to a car, which has had its boot caved in.Credit: Nine News