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Six hurt in Hawai chopper crash

Staff WritersAP
A helicopter carrying six people has crashed in a lava field in Hawaii.
Camera IconA helicopter carrying six people has crashed in a lava field in Hawaii. Credit: AP

A helicopter has crashed in a lava field in Hawaii and all six people on board have been safely evacuated from the site, but two are in serious condition, officials say.

Cyrus Johnasen, a public information officer for Hawaii County, said it was a tour helicopter with a pilot and five passengers.

He said the pilot, a man in his 50s, had been trapped but was extracted and was in serious but stable condition. An 18-year-old woman was reported in serious and worsening condition.

The initial report came in about 5pm on Wednesday and said the aircraft had crashed near the southern most tip of the Big Island, Johnasen said.

The site was inaccessible by vehicle so the Hawaii Fire Department sent two helicopters to take victims to ambulances waiting at nearby roads.

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