Helicopter crashes during Australia bushfire operation
Updated | By AFP
The bushfire at Pechey, north of Toowoomba, was sparked on Tuesday and is "getting worse", according to the fire service.
A helicopter crashed while fighting a bushfire in northern Australia on Wednesday and the pilot managed to survive with only minor injuries, officials said.
"The helicopter crashed during waterbombing operations at the Pechey fire today," a Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesperson told AFP.
A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene and the pilot was treated for minor injuries, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman told AFP.
"We transported one male with non-life-threatening injuries to Toowoomba Hospital," the spokesman said.
The pilot is now in a stable condition.
ALSO READ: Australians trapped by bushfires told 'too late to leave'
The bushfire at Pechey, north of Toowoomba, was sparked on Tuesday and is "getting worse", according to the fire service.
Firefighters on the ground have been battling the blaze with support from aerial waterbombers.
Queensland is on high alert amid severe fire conditions, with a forecast wind change expected to worsen several large blazes in difficult-to-access areas of the state.
About 70 fires are burning in the state, with Pechey residents told the safest option is to leave the area as conditions are currently too dangerous.
Dozens of fires are also ablaze in neighbouring New South Wales state, where cooler southerly winds have eased conditions and brought relief to firefighters and residents.
Difficult conditions were expected to flare again at the weekend as the temperature rises and winds pick up.
Just to put in perspective how bad this is.
— Sharon (@PeaceChild4) November 12, 2019
When the amazon rainforest went up in flames it burnt 125,000 hectares. Australia so far has lost 970,000 hectares, and its only going to get worse
We are no longer the sunburnt country, we are the country on fire 🔥 #AUSTRALIAFIRES pic.twitter.com/AwnsSucKKT
Show's Stories
-
Heartwarming moment brothers meet after twenty years
It's the way they embraced one another that got us choked up.
The Workzone with Alex Jay 1 day ago -
Three Mother's Day crafts you can do with the kids
In case you had a busy week and couldn't get a nice Mother's Day gift fo...
The Workzone with Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp 1 day ago