Pilot dies in helicopter crash at South Maroota on Saturday morning

A pilot died following a helicopter crash at South Maroota on Saturday morning which saw the chopper on fire on the ground.

Shortly before 11.50am today – Saturday – emergency services were called to remote bushland off Tuff Hill Lane, South Maroota, after reports of a helicopter crash.

Hawkesbury Police Area Command officers, PolAir, Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance helicopter, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW SES and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter responded and accessed the site through difficult terrain and flood-affected bushland.

The helicopter was on fire when emergency crews arrived and the blaze was put out by NSW Rural Fire Service.

Once the scene was deemed safe, Police Rescue found the body of a man – believed to be aged in his 60s – in the wreckage. He is yet to be formally identified.

He was the sole occupant of the aircraft.

A crime scene has been 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.

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