A helicopter with two Australians on board has crashed near cliffs in Bali’s South Kuta region.
The Bell Jet Model 5055 Helicopter operated by Bali Helitours went down near Pecatu on Friday afternoon with five passengers on board.
The two Australians were passengers on the aircraft, with the pilot and the other two passengers Indonesian locals.
The helicopter fell into a mixed-residential area near the ocean, with images showing the aircraft upside down between a rock face and a villa.
Bali’s Indonesian search and rescue (Basarnas) agency reported that the helicopter took off from Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) for a tour around Bali from 2.33pm Bali time.
However, it crashed just a few minutes later at 2.37 pm.
The search and rescue agency reported that all people on board were saved. Three passengers have been taken to Siloam Hospital with serious injuries.
Indonesia’s transport ministry said the helicopter crashed after it became entangled in kite strings.
The helicopter went down shortly after 2.30pm local Bali time on Friday (pictured: emergency responders at the site)
The tourist helicopter took off about 2.30pm local Bali time and crashed just a few minutes later
The coastline at Pecatu in South Kuta has rugged cliffs and is popular for surfers and helicopter tours
‘The Directorate General of Civil Aviation Ditjen Hubud has received a report on the accident of the PK-WSP type Bell 505 helicopter belonging to PT. Whitesky Aviation,’ they said in a statement.
‘Initial information is that all passengers are confirmed to have survived the accident.
‘Currently, aviation inspectors from the Region IV Airport Authority Office are heading to the crash site. PT. Whitesky Aviation has also sent an investigation team to the scene.
‘The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Communications, will carry out more intensive outreach and monitoring of the dangers of kites.’
Emergency crews and officials at the crash site on Friday afternoon (pictured)
All five on board were rescued and three have been transported to hospital
