ABC crew killed in chopper crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The ABC is mourning the loss of three well-known and highly respected figures after veteran journalist Paul Lockyer, pilot Gary Ticehurst and cameraman John Bean died in a helicopter crash in remote South Australia.
The ABC crew's helicopter crashed around 7:30pm yesterday near Lake Eyre in South Australia's north.
The crash was reported by a remote outpost about 150 kilometres north-west of Marree, where the ABC helicopter had been operating.
A rescue helicopter including police investigators was sent to the crash site.
It is not known yet what caused the crash, but there have been reports of bad weather in the area.
Aviation investigators will leave Canberra and Brisbane for the crash site this morning.
Lockyer was one of the ABC's most experienced journalists with an award-winning career spanning more than 40 years locally and internationally.
Ticehurst is a legend among media pilots - he served the ABC for more than 25 years and was well liked by all who flew with him.
Brisbane-based cameraman Bean has worked for the ABC for 20 years across a diverse range of programs in news and entertainment, including international assignments.