Police are investigating following a fatal aviation incident in Cairns City this morning, August 12.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of The Esplanade and Florence Street around 1:50am following reports a twin engine Helicopter colliding with the roof of a hotel.
The resulting impact caused a fire on top of the hotel; however the building was evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries sustained by people on the ground.
The pilot and single occupant of the aircraft was located and declared deceased at the scene, and forensic investigations are underway to formally identify him.
An exclusion zone remains in place encompassing The Esplanade, Minnie Street, Abbott Street and Florence Street.
The Forensic Crash Unit, working alongside the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Investigations are ongoing.
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