Three killed in SA helicopter crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Three people have died in a helicopter crash at Lake Eyre in South Australia's far north.
A person at an outpost station reported the helicopter going up in flames on Thursday evening.
Police say the helicopter went down about 150 kilometres north-west of Marree.
An outback tour operator says four boats have gone to assist at the crash site near the Cooper Creek outlet.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is co-ordinating the response to the crash.
Herald Sun
THREE people have died in a helicopter crash at Lake Eyre.
William Creek pilot Trevor Wright said the he believed the helicopter was being used for aerial photography and video and flying near the edge of Lake Eyre when it crashed before 7.30pm.
He said the occupants were planning to land and meet a group of people on the edge of the lake for dinner in the early evening.
''When the helicopter didn't turn up they became anxious and sent out a search party on foot, then they found the wreck,'' Mr Wright said
He said news of the victims had spread around the William Creek community.
''Everyone in the local community knows about it and is distraught it's an aviation community,'' he said.
''It's incredibly upsetting for this to happen. We really feel for the families of the victims.''
The police helicopter is flying to the scene, which is 146km north north west of Marree and 142km north east of William Creek on the eastern side of Lake Eyre.
Three killed in Lake Eyre chopper crash while team was conducting aerial photography | News.com.au
THREE people have died in a helicopter crash beside Lake Eyre in South Australia.
William Creek pilot Trevor Wright said the he believed the helicopter was being used for aerial photography and video and flying near the edge of Lake Eyre when it crashed sometime yesterday before 7.30pm (CST).
An ABC spokesman meanwhile has confirmed there was an ABC crew working in a helicopter in that area.
Mr Wright, who could not confirm who the occupants were, said the crew was planning to land and meet a group of people on the edge of the lake for dinner in the early evening.
The site is 146km north north west of Marree and 142km north east of William Creek, on the eastern side of Lake Eyre.
"When the helicopter didn't turn up they became anxious and sent out a search party on foot, then they found the wreck," Mr Wright said
He said news of the victims had spread around the William Creek community.
"Everyone in the local community knows about it and is distraught it's an aviation community," he said.
Ground patrols and the police helicopter are making their way to the scene.
However, a police spokeswoman said the remote location and weather conditions were making it difficult to reach the site