Update: Helicopter crash lands on lake

Photo [Cameron Avery]

A Rotorua helicopter pilot and her three passengers had a lucky escape after crash landing on Lake Rotorua

The female helicopter pilot was taking a man and his two sons on a scenic flight when its believed a mechanical fault occurred urging the pilot to make an emergency landing on the lake about 80m from shore.

Neighbours told The Bop Live they heard a loud bang and immediately went to see what was happening, and to their surprise it was a helicopter in the lake.

Police say a member of the public waded out to assist the pilot and the passengers get out of the helicopter.

Reporter Cameron Avery is at the scene and says police along with media are at the scene and a selvage operation is under way to retrieve the helicopter and transport it back to land.

"They have tried to use a helicopter to selvage the helicopter but were unsuccessful as the machine is too heavy." Reporter Cameron says.

Civil Aviation Authority are at  the scene and are investigating what went wrong.


    Photo: Cameron Avery  - cameron@theboplive.net

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