Helicopter pilot Greg Gribble was helping to erect a seven-storey steel Christmas tree in Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday when the aircraft clipped the structure and came crashing down.
Gribble, who walked away from the accident almost unscathed, spoke about the ordeal.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) HELICOPTER PILOT GREG GRIBBLE, SAYING:
"Because it happened so quick it was like a dream really. You know it was just like bang and the next thing I had a couple of guys undoing my belt."
He was amazed to see footage of the crash.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) HELICOPTER PILOT GREG GRIBBLE, SAYING:
"That's your main belt which is attached to the floor of the aircraft, OK, and that beast there. I must have just slid around inside it. It's thrown me out and dragged me back in and then the whole lot's just gone over backwards. You know, if I wasn't wearing that it would have been all over."
Despite his ordeal Gribble hopes to return to finish the job of erecting the Christmas tree.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
