Helicopter crashes off Point Lonsdale, three hospitalized

A helicopter carrying three people crashed into the ocean near Point Lonsdale on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula shortly after 10am local time. All three occupants managed to swim to shore and were located by passersby, who alerted emergency services. A man and a woman were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, while another man was transported to hospital by road, also with serious injuries. Multiple emergency service vehicles responded to the scene, and footage showed the helicopter in the water just off the coast. The cause of the crash is still unknown, and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will conduct an investigation. Authorities have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant footage to contact Crime Stoppers.