A helicopter crashed in the NSW Snowy Mountains shortly before midday on Friday.
Paramedics confirmed five people were on board including the pilot and four male employees of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
One person was airlifted to Canberra Hospital in a serious condition with head, back and possible spinal injuries.
Two more patients were winched out with possible spinal injuries, while the remaining two were able to walk out with minor injuries.
They were taken to Cooma Hospital by road for further assessment.
It is understood the helicopter was forced to make a heavy landing in Guthega, east of the Perisher Valley within the Kosciuszko National Park.
“Any incident involving aircraft has the potential for serious injuries or worse, so the fact that no one lost their life here is either good luck or good piloting,” NSW Ambulance acting inspector Jennifer Barker said.
“Getting access to the patients was really difficult for our crews. Having Rescue Helicopters with winching capabilities was critical to getting everyone treated and safely extricated as quickly as possible.”
NSW Ambulance responded with five road crews and two helicopters with specialist medical teams on board.
Due to the remote location of the crash, paramedics were winched down to the scene to provide initial on-site treatment.
The chopper was doing aerial survey work when it crashed, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
An investigation will be conducted, with ATSB specialists travelling to the crash site from Canberra.
“On site, investigators will examine the wreckage and site surrounds, and will retrieve any relevant components for further examination in the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the ATSB said in a statement.
NSW Environment Minister James Griffin said he would be doing everything possible to support the NPWS staff involved in the crash and their families.
“My thoughts are with the National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and contractor, who were involved in a helicopter incident in Kosciuszko National Park today,” he said.
“The NPWS family is incredibly professional, dedicated and close-knit, and I know this will affect everyone deeply, as it has me.”
Fire and Rescue NSW crews were also involved, deploying booms to prevent 150 litres of fuel from entering the nearby waterway.
“NSW Ambulance crews worked closely with other agencies, including Fire and Rescue NSWxjmtzyw, Rural Fire Service, NSW Police and the State Emergency Service to ensure the best outcome for our patients,” Ms Barker said.
In 2018, a helicopter crashed in the Yarrangobilly riverbed while conducting work on the Snowy 2.0 project.
The pilot in that instance was transported to hospital by air and made a full recovery.
