Four survive Vic alpine chopper crash

High winds may have played a part in a helicopter crash in Victoria's alpine region but all four occupants survived, one with minor injuries.

A helicopter has crashed on landing, snapping its tail as the aircraft's body flipped, broke apart and tumbled down a hill in Victoria's alpine country.

But the pilot and three passengers all managed to climb out of the wreckage by the time paramedics arrived on Wednesday afternoon.

"Luckily, the four occupants were able to scramble out, basically unhurt," Sergeant Scott Waters told reporters at the Mount Buller crash site.

Only one of chopper crash survivors had to be taken to hospital for a minor back injury, an Ambulance Victoria spokesman said.

The passengers are believed to have been flying in from Tasmania for the Targa High Country rally.

Witness Mark Weingott said the crash also broke off the helicopter's rotors, but everyone seemed to be okay.

"It's a wreck," he told the Nine Network.

"But they all looked pretty good, a bit shaken up and I think they were very grateful they were still alive."

It's not yet known what caused the crash.

Police say high winds in the area may have played a role as the chopper approached the Summit Road landing pad.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau officials will arrive at the site on Thursday.

The helicopter crash comes only days after a chopper pilot ferrying racegoers to Flemington for the Melbourne Cup Carnival crashed on take-off.

Pilot Emma Bobridge, 45, was flying solo but suffered only minor injuries when the helicopter crashed on a city oval on Saturday.

Investigators are still probing what led up to the incident.


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Source: AAP


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