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incredible video shows man duck rotor blades as rescue helicopter smashes into Grossglockner mountain

This is the moment a rescue helicopter sent to save a mountaineer suffering heart trouble narrowly avoided slicing into a rescue worker on Austria's highest mountain.

The incredible footage shows the helicopter spinning out of control as a man on the ground ducks and dodges its slicing blades.

The shocking crash happened on Grossglockner mountain in the Alps.

A mountaineer on the opposite ridge, who wished to remain anonymous, captured the carnage as the helicopter thundered into the mountain and sent flames and debris flying in all directions.

What's more, the pilot narrowly avoided his helicopter plunging over the sheer cliff.

Despite the violent crash the pilot, flight rescuer and patient were all unharmed. The paramedic on board suffered minor injuries.

The patient was picked up by another helicopter and flown to hospital.

It's not yet known what caused the crash and the wreckage of the rescue helicopter has now been recovered and taken for testing.

Roy Knaus, managing director of Heli-Tirol, an Austrain helicopter firm, told local press that it was likely warmer air and altitude played a role in the crash.

"It could be that the machine was too heavy and then staggered with the additional weight of the patient," explained Knaus.