A helicopter flying people to the races has crashed near Melbourne's CBD.

The chopper was carrying only the pilot, a 45-year-old female from Mornington, when it crashed in an oval opposite Hisense Arena, near the corner of Punt Road and Olympic Boulevard, just after 6.30pm.

MFB workers douse the chopper with foam. Credit:Wayne Hawkins

Advanced life support paramedic Jason Pitman said he found the helicopter on its side and debris strewn across the oval.

"The woman was apparently taking off when the helicopter crashed," he said.