Pilot dies after helicopter collides with Australian hotel rooftop

A pilot has died after a helicopter collided with a hotel roof in Australia early on Monday.

Queensland police said emergency services were called to the hotel in Cairns, in north-eastern Australia, around 1:50 am (1550 GMT Sunday) following reports a twin engine helicopter had crashed into the roof.

"The resulting impact caused a fire on top of the hotel; however the building was evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries sustained by people on the ground," police said in a statement.

The sole occupant of the helicopter was found dead at the scene and forensic investigations were underway to formally identify them.

An exclusion zone had been declared in the area and the Forensic Crash Unit and Australian Transport Safety Bureau would prepare a report for the Coroner, police said.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing.