A chopper that was using cables to help install a seven-story Christmas tree in central Auckland, New Zealand, crashed down to the ground on Wednesday morning.

Miraculously, the pilot, Greg Gribble, escaped virtually unharmed with only minor injuries, while no one else was hurt, despite the fact that workers were very close by under the helicopter when the incident occurred.

Television crews captured the dramatic footage showing the helicopter descending towards the waterfront when all of a sudden it started jolting like crazy before hitting the ground.

While the circumstances of the accident are not yet clear, it appears that the helicopter’s main rotor blades may have got caught in the cables.

The family company that owns the chopper, Heli-Sika Helicopters, posted a note on its official Facebook page that said: “Thanks everyone for their support and concerns, we are very lucky that Greg is all okay! Apart from being in Shock and having a very sore head!”

Kudos to Maria S. for the tip!

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