A helicopter carrying two Australians has crashed near cliffs in Bali.
The Bell Jet Model 5055 Helicopter operated by Bali Helitours crashed at Pecatu in Bali’s South Kuta region on Friday afternoon.
There were five people onboard when it crashed, including two Australians, two Indonesian locals and the pilot.
The helicopter fell into a mixed-residential area near the ocean, with images showing the aircraft upside down between a rock face and a villa.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where all five people on board were treated and three were taken to Siloam Hospital with serious injuries.
The Indonesian search and rescue agency, Basarnas, reported the helicopter took off from Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) for a tour of the island from 2.33pm local time.
Basarnas reported the helicopter crashed just minutes later at 2.37pm.
Indonesia’s transport ministry said the helicopter crashed after it became entangled in kite strings.
“The Directorate General of Civil Aviation Ditjen Hubud has received a report on the accident of the PK-WSP type Bell 505 helicopter belonging to PT. Whitesky Aviation,” they said in a statement.
“Initial information is that all passengers are confirmed to have survived the accident.
“Currently, aviation inspectors from the Region IV Airport Authority Office are heading to the crash site. PT. Whitesky Aviation has also sent an investigation team to the scene.
“The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Communications, will carry out more intensive outreach and monitoring of the dangers of kites.”
Local reports have said witnesses heard the voice of a woman pleading for help after the helicopter crashed.
Social media footage shows locals rushing to help after the aircraft crashed into the rock face, with passengers being pulled out of the helicopter.
It is understood the helicopter was undertaking a property survey at the time of the incident.
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