Helicopter Crashes In German Forest, Pilot's Fate Unclear

DRESDEN (Germany), Aug 14 (NNN-dpa) -- A helicopter has crashed in a forest in eastern Germany while carrying out liming work, the police directorate in the city of Chemnitz said on Friday, adding that the fate of the pilot was initially unclear, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

The helicopter had no further people on board. Police also had no initial information on the identity of the pilot or the cause of the accident near the small town of Sehmatal in the Ore Mountains.

A police spokesman said they had been notified of the crash at around 9.55 am (0755 GMT).

Helicopters are used to spread lime over forest floors. Aerial liming is carried out to counteract the acidification of forest soil caused by environmental factors such as acid rain and nitrogen.

--NNN-dpa