A helicopter has crashed while fighting the Pigeon Valley fire in Tasman this afternoon.
The helicopter, equipped with a monsoon bucket, made a may day call as it took a hard landing next to a road within the fire ground near Eves Valley Road at around 2.55pm, Reid Helicopters said in a statement.
The helicopter was located in a bush area along with the pilot, police said.
The pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was transported to Nelson Hospital after receiving minor injuries in the incident.
The Civil Aviation Authority have been notified of the crash.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission will be at the scene tomorrow and will lead the investigation.
Air operations in the area have resumed, the Civil Aviation Authority said.
Residents of the 14 evacuated Pigeon Valley properties were allowed to return home yesterday.
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