Helicopter on unauthorised flight crashes into Hilton hotel in Australia, killing pilot

Queensland police are investigating the crash. - Photo: Queensland Police Service via Facebook

SYDNEY (Reuters) -A helicopter on an unauthorised flight crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in Australia's northern tourist town of Cairns on Monday, killing the pilot and forcing hundreds of guests to evacuate after a blaze, authorities said.

Emergency crews were called at about 2 a.m. (1600 GMT on Sunday) after the twin-engine helicopter hit the roof of the hotel, setting part of the structure on fire and triggering the evacuations, Queensland state police said in a statement.