Pilot dies after helicopter collides with hotel rooftop

A pilot has died after a helicopter collided with a hotel roof in Australia early on Monday.

Queensland police said that emergency services were called to the hotel in Cairns, in north-eastern Australia, around 1:50 a.m. following reports a twin engine helicopter had crashed into the roof.

Australian police said in a statement that the resulting impact caused a fire on top of the hotel; however the building was evacuated as a precaution and there were no casualties.

The sole occupant of the helicopter was confirmed dead at the scene and forensic investigations were underway to formally identify them.

Police said that an exclusion zone had been declared in the area and the Forensic Crash Unit and Australian Transport Safety Bureau would prepare a report for the Coroner.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing.