Pilot dies in water bombing helicopter crash on NSW south coast
A pilot has died after a waterbombing helicopter crashed on the NSW south coast where emergency services have been battling bushfires.
Paramedics were called to Woodstock, near Ulladulla, about 2:15pm after the helicopter crashed into a tree.
The NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed the helicopter had been contracted to work on the Kingiman fire, which has been burning west of Ulladulla.
RFS firefighters and other emergency rescue services were on site, the RFS said.
Sydney Helicopters confirmed its aircraft was involved in the crash.
The helicopter was built in 1994 and first registered in Australia in 2015.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said the helicopter had been "involved in firefighting operations and crashed into terrain".
"The pilot was the only person on board," he said.
NSW Police said a crime scene has been established and will be forensically examined.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will also attend and begin an investigation.
Sydney Helicopters has been operating for more than three decades and describes itself as the city's "premier helicopter service provider".
It is the longest running commercial helicopter operator in Sydney, with aircraft housed at Parramatta Heliport.
An emergency warning was issued for the blaze on Wednesday, which is still burning in the area of Woodstock, west of Burrill Lake.
It has already burnt more than 1,600 hectares.
The NSW RFS said their efforts today would focus on the area around Carriage Road and Kingiman Road.
RIP; almost mid winter and there are nearly 80 fires going in NSW already.