What was supposed to be a relaxing flight quickly turned into a nightmare for six travelers when a helicopter crashed on a beach in Fiji.
Chinese tourist Yang Yang was filming as the Island Hoppers Eurocopter AS350 descended and prepared for landing near Treasure Island Resort Wednesday. But a strong gust of wind caused the chopper to tip forward toward the beach and onlookers.
The helicopter hit a tree before ultimately crashing near the resort's pool.
No one among the seven aboard the sightseeing helicopter, including two Australians, a New Zealand family of four and a New Zealander pilot, was hurt.
"(It's a) Christmas miracle," Emily-Jane Thompson, TV New Zealand employee and sister of one of the travelers, wrote on Facebook. "My brother, his beautiful wife and daughters (are) all safe after this horrific ordeal."
Fiji’s Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the crash.
Posted by Bob Carroll on Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Posted by Bob Carroll on Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Posted by Bob Carroll on Tuesday, December 22, 2015