'Sheer luck': New Zealander who survived fatal Nepal helicopter crash recalls collision

A New Zealand man who was injured in a deadly helicopter crash in Nepal is recovering in a Kathmandu hospital and says it's "sheer luck" he survived.

The New Zealand Herald spoke to West Auckland man Shailesh Krishan Patel, 53, from his hospital bed.

While Patel suffered only minor injuries in the crash, an Indian tourist was killed after two choppers collided as they prepared to land in Nepal's Mount Everest region.

Patel told the Herald he was returning from Everest Base Camp when the crash happened - saying trekking to the camp had been a bucket-list goal.

After reaching Base Camp with three others guided by Pristine Nepal Treks, Patel and another member of the group boarded a helicopter for the return journey.

He told the Herald the crash happened "before we could blink our eyes".

"We had no chance to hold anything.

"The impact I think was more on the side where my friend was sitting and I think he had some really bad head injury."

The helicopters were operated by two private firms, Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air. Fishtail Air said in a statement that its helicopter was carrying passengers who had been rescued from the Everest region when it crashed while landing.

A Dynasty Air official said its helicopter was carrying only cargo.

Patel was recovering in hospital where he was treated for bruising and discomfort in his legs.

He told the Herald his wife and son were in New Zealand and he'd spoke to them following the crash.

"They were happy to hear me."

Patel said he was grateful to be alive and he hoped to return home soon after he had recovered.

"Definitely, I was lucky ... my friend was sitting just next to me on my right-hand side and I was really lucky, just sheer luck."

The accident happened during the peak trekking season in Nepal, when helicopters ferry hikers and climbers in the region.

Small helicopters are widely used in the Himalayan nation to transport tourists, climbers and supplies, as well as to carry out emergency evacuations.

The country's challenging terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions make aviation operations particularly hazardous.