Helicopter crashes near Melbourne as blaze erupts in rugged terrain near Mt Disappointment 

A helicopter with several passengers reportedly on board is feared to have crashed in rugged terrain near Melbourne.

It’s understood two helicopters were travelling north in convoy from Melbourne’s CBD over Mount Disappointment, around 78km north of the city, when one aircraft disappeared just after 9.30am. 

‘At this stage the second helicopter is yet to be located,’ Victoria Police said. 

‘Emergency services are in the area searching.’ 

Initial reports indicate as many as seven people were on board. 

Air searches (pictured) were launched on Thursday morning after reports a helicopter had gone missing near Melbourne around 9.35am

Air searches are underway for the chopper, while local search and rescue crews have been dispatched and a command post has been set up at Mt Disappointment, near Whittlesea. 

Smoke from controlled burns in the area and low-lying cloud cover are reportedly hampering search efforts.  

Five Country Fire Authority vehicles and paramedics, including the air ambulance, have been dispatched to the area. 

Ambulance Victoria said it was called to reports of an aviation incident at Mt Disappointment around 9.35am. 

‘Crews are making their way to the scene and the air ambulance has been dispatched,’ Ambulance Victoria said in a statement. 

Smoke has been seen billowing across the area where the helicopter is feared to have gone down

‘No further details are available at this stage.’

Seven fire trucks have been sent to the scene, including four trucks and three brigade vehicles, after being notified just after 10.20am.

‘[Country Fire Authority] crews are part of a multi-agency response to reports of an aircraft accident,’ a spokeswoman said. 

‘[It] is supporting Victoria Police in the multi-agency response.’

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified.

Mount Disappointment is a 800-metre mountain located on the southern end of the Great Dividing Range. 

More to come. 

Five Country Fire Authority vehicles and paramedics, including the air ambulance, have been dispatched to the area

Source: DailyMail