Lots of flooding in Australia, especially in central Queensland. Unfortunately, one of the relief helicopters came to grief soon after take off. Thankfully, the pilot walked away.
No injuries in Qld helicopter crash
No one has been injured after a helicopter crashed in the flood-ravaged town of Emerald in central Queensland.
The helicopter came down beside Oorealea racecourse shortly after taking off at 6pm (AEST) on Thursday, a State Emergency Services (SES) spokesman told AAP.
The helicopter had not gained much height when it came down, landing on its side on Racecourse Road.
The pilot was the only person on board the aircraft and he emerged unscathed shortly after the crash, the spokesman said.
The Robinson single-person helicopter was being used for personal purposes.
It was initially feared the helicopter may have been one used to evacuate people from the flood-ravaged town.
Black Hawk helicopters were deployed to Emerald on Thursday to take evacuees to the airport.
Up to 2500 residents are planning to evacuate their homes, with road and rail access to the town cut off due to rising floodwaters.
These guys are doing an amazing amount of difficult humanitarian work under extreme circumstances. I am just pleased that their efforts weren't at a higher personal cost this time.