UPDATE: Bodies of pilot and passenger pulled out of Durban helicopter wreckage
The bodies of a pilot and a passenger have been pulled from the helicopter that earlier crashed into the Umgeni River near the N2 interchange.
EMER-G-MEDs Kyle Van Reenen says search and rescue workers found the helicopter fully submerged in the river.
"A rescue operation was launched with members of EMER-G-MED's rescue personnel as well as the SAPS Search and Rescue unit. It was found on arrival at the helicopter that both the pilot and the co-pilot were trapped in the wreckage.
They were found to be deceased. The cause of the crash is believed to be a bird strike, However, the necessary investigations will take place by aviation authorities."
An eyewitness who was driving on the N2 moments before the helicopter came crashing to the ground, has recounted what he saw.
Durban Resident, Derrick Maurice says initially it was in a smaller position.
"It was going around. It was spinning round and round because the taleprop was not keeping it stable. The tale went up in the air and it came directly down into the ground. I have never seen something like this in my life but there was no big explosion when it hit the ground."
