One Dead, Three Injured Battling Australian Bushfires

One helicopter pilot died and three people were injured on Wednesday while battling bushfires which are still burning across eastern Australia.

The helicopter was on a water bombing mission fighting a different fire when it crashed in the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

The pilot was killed and a ranger on board was severely injured.

[Kristina Keneally, NSW Premier]:
"You go to work in the morning and you think you are going to come home in the afternoon. Today a man did not. That is a tragedy for the man and his family."

"Today a man has lost his life in an effort to save others. There is no greater act of service to lay down your life for the fellow human beings."

More than 100 fires were burning out of control across New South Wales on Wednesday.

Families evacuated their homes near Bathurst late on Tuesday when blazes flared thanks to strong winds and hot weather conditions.

A father and son, who suffered from burns and smoke inhalation while trying to defend their property, were flown to a hospital in Sydney.

Some 1,500 firefighters are still battling fires across the state, at least 41 of which are burning out of control.

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• NTD
• NTDTV
• Helicopter
• Australia
• Bushfire
• Injuries
• New South Wales
• Tragedy
• Disaster
• Fire