A 10-year-old girl was in a critical condition and another child was severely injured after a helicopter crashed at the Polokwane Civil Airport on Saturday afternoon, Netcare 911 said.
Spokesperson Mark Stokoe said the pilot and an adult passenger sustained minor injuries and suffered about 20% burns over their bodies.
The two children were severely injured by the flames and were airlifted to another airport from where they would be transported to the specialist burns unit at Netcare Milpark Hospital.
An eyewitness said the tail of the helicopter touched the ground shortly after take off and before the aircraft crashed.
The helicopter caught fire and paramedics on the scene pulled all four victims from the burning craft. – Sapa