Helicopter crash at Fiji holiday resort caught on video

A tourist at Fiji's Treasure Island Resort recorded the moment a helicopter carrying seven holidaymakers crashed into a tree while landing.

Incredibly, the six passengers and pilot of the Island Hoppers Eurocopter helicopter walked away from the crash on Wednesday unharmed.

See also: Four British tourists among seven killed as helicopter crashes into New Zealand glacier

See also: Helicopter pilot dies after crash in Isle of Man


The helicopter can been seen coming into land on the pad, but it's clear it's extremely windy.

Footage shows the moment that a gust of wind suddenly picks up underneath the helicopter sending it hurtling towards a tree.

Aaron Toresen was on the helicopter with his wife Nicky and daughters Suzy, 6, and Heidi, 9. There was also an Australian couple and the pilot.

Mr Toresen told Stuff.co.nz: "When we touched down, a big gust knocked the chopper up. The pilot - I don't know whether he had a choice or not frankly - he went full throttle. He absolutely gunned it.

"It was pretty dramatic stuff. When we went through a palm tree we chopped the top off completely.

"It was horrific. The thing is, as it was going through all those trees, it lurched up. You could see there's no way [the pilot] could control it. You've got no idea how it's all going to end.

"You've got two little kids and all you're thinking about is, is there anything you can to protect them."

Holidaymaker Bob Carroll was eating with his family just 50 metres away when the helicopter smashed into a tree before hitting another, crashing next to a pool.

He shared a couple of pictures on Facebook of the scene and, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, wrote: "Holy s***!! Bizarreo and freaky and scary but thank God all got out of the chopper and we are all OK."

According to TVNZ, Mr Toresen's sister wrote on Facebook: "Flippin' Christmas miracle right here...my brother, his beautiful wife and daughters all safe after this horrific ordeal."

The Toresen family have decided to stay on their holiday. According to Stuff.co.nz, Aaron added: "We feel quite grateful. It's the best Christmas present you can have. Your kids walk out of something like that alive and besides cuts and bruises, pretty well uninjured.

"We're just enormously grateful, for us as passengers and also for the people around the poolside."

The Australian couple flew home after the incident.

Aviation officials in Fiji have opened an investigation into the crash.


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