VIDEO: Chopper erecting Christmas tree in New Zealand crashes
Firefighters spray foam at the scene where a helicopter crashed while installing a Christmas tree in Auckland, New Zealand on November 23, 2011.
A helicopter installing a Christmas tree in Auckland, New Zealand, clipped a bridge and crashed, with the dramatic incident caught on camera.
The pilot of the helicopter had a miraculous escape, suffering no serious injuries in the crash, which was broadcast live on TVNZ website as it streamed footage.
The seven-story tree was sponsored by Telecom, which posted on Twitter: "Can confirm the helicopter that crashed was putting up our Xmas tree. We're really happy to confirm pilot and ground crew all OK."
Pilot Greg Gribble can be seen in the video looking around the helicopter as he descends in what is evidently a tight space.
As TVNZ reported:
The main rotor appeared to then strike a cable causing a loud bang as the chopper flipped and slammed into the ground.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a "massive whack" or an "enormous pop" as the rotor became tangled in the cable.
The B2 Squirrel helicopter was heavily damaged with its tail snapped in half.
Helisika Helicopters said Gribble had been a commercial pilot for 20 years and "had many thousands of hours of flying experience."
The tree was being put up near the Te Wero Island bridge.
Air safety examiners will investigate the crash.
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