“Nautilus Aviation are working closely with Queensland Police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other authorities as they investigate the unauthorised use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of this morning,” the statement reads.
“As we continue to fully support the ongoing investigation, we will not be making further comments at this time.”
Hotel guest Alastair Salmon, who was staying on the third floor, told the ABC he woke up to “a colossal ear-deafening bang”.
His roommate Harry Holberton likened it to a bomb going off.
“All over the hotel there was debris, parts of a windscreen,” Holberton told the ABC.
Police have cordoned off an exclusion zone around the hotel.
Caitlin Denning, Queensland Ambulance senior operations supervisor in Cairns, said between 300 and 400 people were being evacuated from the Double Tree Hotel as crews arrived at the scene.
“At the time, it was too unsafe for us to enter the hotel to view the [impact site],” she said.
“The helicopter impacted the roof of the hotel; however two propellers have dislodged.
“One landed on the Cairns Esplanade and there was a second propeller located in the hotel pool on the bottom floor and it was on fire.”
Denning said the noise generated by the impact was frightening.
“There were reports of it sounding like a bomb, and seeing the fire and smoke, a lot of the occupants of the hotel were unsure of the situation.
“There is a lot of unease here.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Queensland Police’s Forensic Crash Unit are investigating the crash and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Investigations are ongoing.
with AAP
