A pilot, identified as Jurie Wessels, died in a helicopter crash in Parys in the Free State on Monday morning.

“It is alleged that Mr Jurie Wessels was on his way to Rockridge Farm in Parys from Kroonstad to deliver samples flying a Hughes 268C helicopter with registration number ZT-RDS,” said police spokesperson Captain Malebo Khosana.

At this stage it is believed that Wessels hit power lines as he was about to land. He was declared dead on the scene. Wessels was alone in the helicopter.

National Civil Aviation Authority was informed and summoned to the scene.

The pilot’s body was taken to Sasolburg State Mortuary where a postmortem will be conducted.