Pilot in his 60s dies as helicopter crashes in thick bushland north of Sydney and black plumes of smoke rise from the scene of the wreckage
- A helicopter has crashed in dense bushland north-west of Sydney
- The 60-year-old pilot of the helicopter was found dead in the debris
- Emergency crews from NSW Fire and Rescue responded to the crash at midday
- Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising out from the dense forest
A pilot has died after his helicopter crashed in dense bushland north of Sydney, sending emergency crews rushing to the scene.
Police Rescue officers found the body of the pilot, believed to be a man in his 60s, amongst the wreckage, but he has not yet been formally identified.
Emergency response teams were called to the remote bushland near South Maroota just before midday on Friday and battled their way through tricky terrain and flood-affected trails to get to the helicopter.
The body of the helicopter pilot, believed to be in his 60s, was found amongst the shattered wreckage of the aircraft on the remote hillside (pictured)
Rescue teams were led to the scene by thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the Maroota hillside (pictured)
The elderly pilot is believed to have been the sole occupant of the helicopter.
The helicopter was on fire when New South Wales Fire and Rescue first arrived, with thick black plumes of smoke billowing over the dense tree canopy.
The Fire and Rescue teams quickly contained the fire.
Emergency services fought through dense and flood-affected terrain as they tried to reach the helicopter crash site
Other emergency crews were then able to begin making their way to the wreckage, and found the body of the pilot in the debris.
Police established a crime scene and will guard the area overnight.
Recovery operations and further investigations will continue on Sunday.
The response team included Police helicopter teams, Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance helicopter, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW SES and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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