The pilot of helicopter involved in fighting a fire in Marlborough today has had a lucky escape after his machine crashed.
The 47 year old local pilot was refilling a monsoon bucket from the Wairau River about 11am when the machine has gone down, landing in shallow water.
The pilot was uninjured in the crash.
The scene of the crash on the north bank of the Wairau River near Onamalutu Road is about 300 metres from the edge of the fire.
The public is asked to stay well away from the area as winds are fanning the fire.
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Media note: We will have images available shortly.