An experienced pilot and father of four has died after the helicopter he was flying crashed in a field, with the authorities suspecting he may have hit a power line.

The images show the wreckage of the helicopter, with a firefighter seen hosing it down with water.

The victim has been named as Omer Lerer, 64, who was reportedly an experienced pilot who flew for El Al, Israel’s top airline.

Lerer, who regularly flew large aircraft such as Boeing 787s, was killed when the helicopter he was flying crashed near the coastal city of Netanya, in Israel, on Tuesday, 4th April, according to local media.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency services organisation, on Tuesday, 4th April, saying: “At 9:22am, the MDA’s 101 call centre in the Sharon region received a report about a helicopter that crashed in an open area near the Kiryat Hasharon neighbourhood in Netanya.

“MDA medics and paramedics are providing medical treatment to a 50-year-old man in serious condition, unconscious.”

They later confirmed that the man had died, saying: “Update on the helicopter that crashed in an open area near the Kiryat Hasharon neighbourhood in Netanya. MDA medics and paramedics determine the death of a 50-year-old man with multiple systemic injuries.”

Local media reported that the helicopter was operated by the Chim-Nir Aviation company out of Herzliya Airport.

The investigation is ongoing.