A pilot has been seriously injured in a helicopter crash in the Snowy Mountains region today.
Just after 11.30am (Friday 11 March 2022), a contracted helicopter made an emergency landing after experiencing difficulty near Guthega – east of Perisher Valley within the Kosciuszko National Park.
Officers attached to Monaro Police District – alongside Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service, NSW Ambulance, and State Emergency Service – attended and located the helicopter, which had five people on board.
The male pilot suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Of four male passengers, all of whom were National Parks and Wildlife staff, two have sustained injuries requiring winch rescue. Due to the steep terrain, a vertical rescue operation was underway to winch them to safety.
Inquiries have commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement released by the NPWS they said a commercial helicopter contracted to help NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and operating in Kosciuszko National Park was forced to make an emergency heavy landing in the Snowy River near Guthega Power Station.
The crew onboard were four NPWS staff and the commercial pilot of the aircraft.
On aircraft flight radar the Toll rescue helicopter was visible making several trips from the crash area to Jindabyne airport.
The above image shows the terrain associated with the area near Guthega Power Station, which is steep and heavily treed. This could explain why the pilot has opted to land within the Snowy River, which could have saved the lives of all involved.
The Minister for Environment and Heritage, James Griffen issued a statement saying his thoughts are with the National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and contractor, who were involved in the incident.
"The NPWS family is incredibly professional, dedicated and close-knit, and I know this will affect everyone deeply, as it has me," said Mr Griffen.
"I’ll be doing anything I can to support the NPWS staff involved in today’s incident, and ensure they, and their families, are supported."
