Chopper crash comeback: Alex's story >

As a helicopter pilot flying tourists around the Red Centre, Alex Lawrie was living the dream.

He felt nothing but exhilaration every time he flew above the rich landscapes of Central Australia, sharing the spectacular views with groups of wide-eyed travellers.

The then 32-year-old was just months into his dream job, when an afternoon scenic flight went horribly wrong.

Seconds after taking off, an emergency warning went off, alerting Alex that the chopper was losing power and that there was a problem with the engine. Without enough height to be able to glide back down, the chopper crashed into a sand dune.

But for Alex, the worst was yet to come.

Watch the video above for the whole story.