The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating a helicopter crash at Forresters Beach at about 6pm on Saturday, November 19.
Three people were onboard the helicopter which witnesses said came in low and started spinning out of control before losing altitude and taking out power lines before crash landing in a ditch on Central Coast Highway between Cresthaven Ave and Tumbi Rd.
A 40-year-old woman and her husband were being flown to her own birthday celebration with family and friends at a nearby venue.
Emergency services raced to the scene and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter with its Critical Care Medical Team landed at the grounds of The Entrance District Sporting and Community Centre at Bateau Bay.
Local ambulance paramedics and the Critical Care Team treated and stabilised the woman passenger who suffered serious neck and leg injuries before the Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew her to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment.
She was accompanied by her husband who had only minor injuries and the male pilot was taken to Gosford Hospital, also with minor injuries.
Power was out until late Sunday in the immediate surrounds and the highway was closed until Monday morning while a crash investigation and clean-up was undertaken.
Sue Murray