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One dead, one serious in gyrocopter crash

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A male pilot was killed on Sunday when a gyrocopter crashed into shallow water at Cannons Creek, south-east of Melbourne, causing him to be trapped.

A second man, in his 30s who was also in the lightweight helicopter, is in a serious but stable condition after being saved by “heroic” near-by residents who paddled out on a kayak to rescue the pair.

Victoria Police Sergeant Terry Rowlands said the second man was transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with chest and collarbone injuries.

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“The family is very traumatised, it is (very tragic),” Sgt Rowlands said.

“Being a Sunday there were a lot of people who were out and about who saw the crash.

“The neighbours were very heroic, very heroic.”

He said the pair were on a recreational flight, departing from Tyabb Airport about 11am, and were heading for Tooradin Aerodrome.

He said police believed the gyrocopter then clipped power lines and crashed into shallow water at Cannons Creek about 30m from the shoreline just before noon.

The gyrocopter crashed just after midday, police said.

The gyrocopter crashed just before noon, police said. Photo: ABC

Ambulance Victoria Operations Manager Phillip Brake said paramedics arrived on scene shortly after noon, to find Country Fire Authority personnel and residents assisting the man in his 30s.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen told Fairfax Media earlier on Sunday that emergency services had not been able to reach the man immediately, in his 50s, who was still in the aircraft.

Sgt Rowlands said the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined and police were still investigating.

One resident, Mel Taylor, said they thought they heard a gun shot going off when the crash happened.

“We came out to have a look,” Ms Taylor said.

“(There was) no power, then we saw police going down the road.”

A second neighbour, Dave Barber, said it was frantic.

“Everyone was running around at 100 miles an hour,” he said.

“This sort of thing doesn’t happen (around here). You hear the odd tyre squeal and fight, but not something at this magnitude.”

Mr Barber said one neighbour paddled out in his kayak to help the pair.

Mr Mullen said that coastguards headed to the site, as there was a lot of oil spilt.

He said the aircraft appeared to be a small, home-made machine.

AusNet Services said power was out in the Warneet area and should be restored sometime on Sunday night.

The gyrocopter was winched out of the water on Sunday.

Anyone with any information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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