A sightseeing helicopter on Fiji’s Treasure Island was caught by a sudden gust of wind upon landing on Wednesday, sending its churning blades within metres of tourists and crashing to the ground.
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No one among seven aboard the Island Hoppers Eurocopter AS350 was hurt.
Two elderly Australians, a New Zealand family of four and its New Zealander pilot walked away from the crash.
Chinese tourist Yang Yang was filming the chopper just metres from the landing pad when a strong gust of wind caught the aircraft, sending it directly toward him and other tourists.
TV New Zealand employee Emily-Jane Thompson said her brother and his family, including two children under 10, were aboard the helicopter.
“Flippin’ Christmas miracle right here … my brother, his beautiful wife and daughters all safe after this horrific ordeal,” she posted to Facebook.
Fiji’s Civil Aviation Authority has opened an investigation into the crash, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported.
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