Two people have suffered serious injuries in a helicopter crash in a remote part of Western Australia's north.
Four people were aboard the helicopter yesterday when it crashed just after take-off, 6 kilometres north of the Kumarina Roadhouse, north of Meekatharra, around 2pm.
A 62-year-old man was flown to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment, while another was transported to Newman Health Service.
Both are in a stable condition.
Archaeologist Angus Reynolds was part of a group that included traditional owners from the Yulga Jinna community that had been investigating sites at Collier Range National Park.
He said they had split into two groups to be ferried in a small mustering helicopter back to their camp.
"The first the first group was leaving, we decided to send back just the traditional owners so that myself, my coworker who had satellite phones could stay put in the rural area," he said.
"As the helicopter took off, it hit a willy willy, which is like a sort of miniature tornado. It's caused [by] hot air rising.
"It happened right in the middle of the gorge, which caused the helicopter to nosedive into the centre of the gorge and we kind of just watched it all unfold, and then just started sprinting towards the crash site."
Mr Reynolds said three of the occupants were mobile but an elder was trapped under the wreck with a badly broken arm and possible spinal injuries.
"We had to kick the front window out and then lift the helicopter up and move him out of the helicopter through that front window," Mr Reynolds said.
"He's sustained some … suspected spinal injuries and had a very visible broken arm."
He says it took paramedics from a nearby mine site about an hour and a half to arrive.
The badly injured man was taken to Newman Hospital by helicopter.
Investigation underway
Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the bureau had started an investigation into the incident.
Mr Mitchell said there was substantial damage to the helicopter after it crashed during its initial climb.
Investigators will interview the pilot and others involved.
The investigation will also include a review of weather information, witness reports and the aircraft operator procedures and maintenance records.
A report will be published at the end of the investigation, but relevant people will be alerted if any critical safety issues arise before then.
