Bali helicopter crash: Perth men survive crash in South Kuta region that was supposed to be birthday ride

It was supposed to be a scenic birthday ride in the sky, but two Perth men have narrowly escaped death after a helicopter crash in Bali’s South Kuta region.

Australian expat Russell Harris is lucky to be alive after taking a sight-seeing flight with his partner Keylla on Friday.

His friend Chris Marrot-Castellat — also from Perth — joined the group.

Only minutes into the trip, the helicopter’s rotor became entangled with the strings of a kite being flown on a beach near Uluwatu.

In a shocking twist, the helicopter crashed to the ground and smashed in a ravine, between limestone cliffs.

All five people survived the incident, including the pilot and an additional crew member who both avoided life-threatening injuries.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, where they described seeing “propellers tangled in kite string”.

On Saturday, the trio said they were in “great spirits” and “disbelief” that they were okay.

Mr Harris, 46, was stretchered out of the crash and escaped with a sore back, while his partner Keylla was taken to hospital with a suspected fracture in her neck.

Mr Marrot-Castellat walked away from the wreck with severe bruising.

Speaking to Channel Nine, Mr Harris said he was glad the pilot retained “some type of control” as the helicopter dropped.

“Very scary, it’s my first time in a helicopter. . . it was my birthday today,” he said.