A French helicopter crew have survived after the aircraft they were travelling in crashed into lake while trying to collect water to fight wildfires.

An eyewitness filmed the helicopter descending on the body of water carrying a vessel for collecting water, before appearing to lose control and ending up in the lake in Rosporden, north-western France.

According to a statement from the local municipality, the pilot, the officer aboard the helicopter, and a witness were taken to a local hospital, with no fatalities reported.

In a statement on social media, Mayor of Rosporden Michel Loussouarn said authorities had taken measures to contain the risk of pollution in the lake