Hero jogger pulls female from helicopter wreckage near Point Lonsdale
A helicopter has plunged into the surf just metres off the coast near Ocean Grove in Victoria's southwest, leaving three people seriously injured and sparking a major emergency response.
The wreckage of the aircraft lies shattered about five metres from the shoreline, off Fellows Road, where it crashed into the ocean on Friday morning.
The helicopter at Ocean Grove beach on the Bellarine Peninsula. Picture: Damon Johnston/The Australian
Police confirmed that three people were on board at the time of the crash.
A man and a woman were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, while a third man was transported by road, also in a serious condition.
A passing jogger has been hailed a hero after witnessing the crash and helping rescue one of the passengers from the water.
The Geelong Advertiser reported the man waded through the water and pulled a female passenger from the helicopter.
'They were flying low over the ocean and then crashed just off the shore,' he said.
'The passengers were in shock and couldn't walk.
'The pilot could walk but seemed beat up.'
Helicopter going down at Ocean Grove beach, mid way between Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale, on the Bellarine Peninsula. Picture: Damon Johnston/The Australian
Wreckage from the crashed helicopter could be seen washing onto the beach.
By midday, the last of the passengers had been taken away for treatment.
Borough of Queenscliffe Mayor Di Rule said there had been a series of incidents in the region in recent times and wanted to thank the hero jogger.
'Thank you very much to the jogger that was at the scene. We've had a series of tragedies, but our emergency services in each incident have been marvellous,' Cr Rule said.
Details about the cause of the crash or the type of helicopter involved have not yet been confirmed.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the crash with assistance from police.
More to come.
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