FIVE people have died after two helicopters crashed into each other in Finland.
One of the helicopters reportedly “dropped like a stone” as the choppers spiralled out of control.
AFPFive people have died after two helicopters crashed into each other in Finland[/caption]
AFPEmergency services arrive to the scene of the crash[/caption]
The two helicopters collided and crashed in a wooded area near Eura airport at around 12pm, according to police.
Terrified bystanders watched as the choppers fell 600ft from the sky into the nearby woodland.
The helicopters had reportedly taken off from Estonia, and were on their way to an aviation event.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft flying closely together for most of their journey.
But at around 12:30pm both choppers mysteriously disappeared from radar near Eura airport.
Shortly after disappearing they were seen crashing into each other in a horror smash that killed everyone onboard.
One witness Antti Marjanen saw the helicopters hit each other during a manoeuvre.
Marjanen told Finnish media outlet Iltalehti: “One of them dropped like a stone and the other one more slowly.
“I didn’t hear any sound.”
Emergency crews rushed to the scene where they found the two choppers 300ft apart.
National Bureau of Investigation Detective Chief Inspector Johannes Siirilä said: “Five people have died in a helicopter accident near Eura airport on Saturday.”
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign affairs confirmed to public broadcaster ERR that everyone onboard the helicopters had died.
The identities of the passengers are unknown but it is believed that one of the pilots was well-known Estonian entrepreneur Oleg Sõnajalg.
Organisers at the Piikajärvi Airfield confirmed that the two helicopters were expected at the aviation event.
Chairman of the Pori Aviation Club Ari Pullinen said: “We knew they were en route. Some of the others arrived, but some didn’t.”
This comes as three people were killed after a medical helicopter carrying a patient plunged into the sea in Japan.
A further three people including the pilot, nurse and helicopter mechanic were rushed to hospital after being rescued by the coastguard.
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