MD500 Crash - North QLD

[David Knudsen]

From www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Jaws of life free helicopter pilot
Georgia Waters and AAP | April 9, 2008 - 3:03PM

A pilot had to be cut free from the wreckage of his helicopter after it crashed near Townsville while putting up a new powerline.

The pilot and his co-pilot were taken to Townsville Hospital for treatment after sustaining neck and back injuries in today's crash in a vacant lot at Stuart, just south of Townsville, around 10am (AEST).

The McDonnell Douglas 500 two-seater helicopter had been subcontracted to Downer EDI Engineering to string a new powerline.

Both men on board, believed to be aged in their 40s, were conscious and breathing when emergency services arrived.

An Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) spokesman said the co-pilot escaped the wreckage, but then collapsed, and the pilot was trapped.
"The pilot was trapped for a short time and fire brigades had to use the jaws of life to cut him out,'' the spokesman said.

"They cut away the joystick and control column to free him because he was actually pinned in his seat.''

A spokesman for Downer EDI said the men were employees of a helicopter charter company subcontracted to Downer to string a powerline between the Townsville South and Townsville East substations.

"Downer EDI Engineering, as principal contractor on the project, is working closely with the appropriate authorities to respond to the incident,'' the spokesman said.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators were travelling to the scene today.