Chopper crash in Brisbane

TWO pilots escaped serious injury today when a helicopter owned by child care centre tycoon Eddie Groves crashed into the river in the centre of Brisbane.

The Augusta 109 seven-seater corporate helicopter had dropped off Mr Groves at the Queen Street Wharf helipad pontoon around 8.40am.

Police said the chopper then took off but the 32-year-old pilot heard a noise and returned to the pontoon.

The chopper descended too rapidly, crashing onto the pontoon.

It then tumbled off and came to rest half-submerged in the Brisbane River on the edge of the helipad.