Eurocopter 120 was carrying five people when it went down near Hardy Reef in north Queensland

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Two people have died in a helicopter crash off Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has said.

Five people were aboard the Eurocopter 120 when it went down near Hardy Reef pontoon at about 4.30pm on Wednesday, according to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

“A man and a woman who are believed to be international tourists were recovered from the helicopter and pronounced deceased at the scene,” a Queensland police statement said on Wednesday night.

One person is in a serious condition while the two others escaped with minor injuries. The three other people, including the male pilot and a male and female passenger, also believed to be from overseas, were to be taken by sea to a medical facility for treatment.

Police and other emergency service vessels headed to Hardy Reef with the crash site about 65km north-east of the Whitsundays.

The helicopter is believed to have hit the water 250 metres from the Hardy Reef pontoon.

The pontoon has underwater viewing chambers and the reef is popular with tourists because of its combination of reef, coral and fish life.

The ATSB said a crash investigation was being launched. “A team of transport safety investigators will soon travel to the accident location to commence the evidence collection phase of the investigation,” it said. “There, investigators will interview witnesses, examine any available recorded data, review operational records and technical documentation amongst other activities.”

An expected timeframe on the investigation won’t be known until the evidence collection phase is completed.