A flight instructor was hospitalised with minor injuries after a seven-seater helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Kromvlei, outside Alberton, on Tuesday afternoon.

The pilot escaped uninjured.

The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Life-Threatening Emergency Call Centre received the emergency call at around 2pm and immediately dispatched resources to the scene.

Two fire engines from separate CoE fire stations, supported by 11 firefighters, responded to the incident. On arrival, emergency crews found a Bell 230 twin-engine helicopter lying on its side.

The flight instructor sustained shoulder injuries and minor upper-body lacerations and was transported by private ambulance to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment. The pilot was not injured.

Information received at the scene indicates the helicopter was engaged in a training flight at the time of the crash.

Aviation authorities have been notified and are expected to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the incident.

IOL

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