KP, I think that the 'eyewitnesses' reports are changing daily, if not hourly, and different channels and newspapers are cherrypicking a report that suits them. Very early days to be forming opinions
The ABC have
this report today:
Investigators have begun the grim task of sifting through the helicopter wreckage in the South Australian outback where three of the ABC's most-respected newsmen died on Thursday evening.
Journalist Paul Lockyer, cameraman John Bean and pilot Gary Ticehurst died after their chopper crashed near Lake Eyre while they were working on news and feature projects in the region.
The trio were remembered earlier today at a memorial service in the South Australian town of William Creek, where about 100 people paid their respects.
Prior to the crash they were interviewing tourists on a small island near Lake Eyre. After taking off, witnesses reported seeing the helicopter making an unusual manoeuvre before dropping out of sight.
The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau says it will take several days search through the wreckage about 150 kilometres north-west of Marree.
The bureau's Joe Hattley says four investigators who travelled to the site this morning are methodically sorting through the debris.
Mr Hattley says the investigators are looking at parts including the engines and helicopter rotor blades.
"They'll try and determine what components might be useful for the ATSB to bring back for further examination and they'll also conduct a site map to try and to determine how the helicopter came to the ground," he said.
"We'll also be looking for any embedded electronic devices. Helicopters like this carry devices such as GPS equipment, that sort of thing. If we're fortunate we can download the information and get an idea of the track and altitude and where the helicopter was going.
"We're always hopeful that we'll get enough evidence to tell us what the nature of the accident was."
The bureau's Richard Batt says getting to the remote site has been a logistical nightmare, but the team is well-experienced.
"We have a team with investigators with a background as pilots, operational investigators, also aircraft engineers, technical specialists, so a full range of expertise will be bought to the investigation," he said.
"The team are well-experienced and quick to cope with the conditions that they'll find."
South Australia Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Smith says burned wreckage was spread over a wide area at the remote crash site.
He says heavy rainfall in the area had made it difficult for local officers to reach the site and removing the bodies would be difficult.
It could take a year before the cause of the crash is known.
The ABC has been granted special permission to fly the Australian flag at half mast at its offices around the country as a sign of mourning.
William Creek, which is an air base for flights over the lake, held a memorial service for the trio as part of events to mark the official opening of the air strip.
Outback pilot Trevor Wright spoke at the service, which was attended by about 100 people in the remote region.
He extended his sympathies to the families of Lockyer, Bean and Ticehurst and to the broader ABC. "Our thoughts are with you," he said.
He spoke with affection about the trio. "They were very well respected ... and to see this number of people turn up is just fantastic," he said.
Earlier, Mr Wright said Lockyer was highly regarded amongst locals for his role in highlighting rural issues.
"Paul was at home whether he was in the city or the bush... he had a fantastic rapport with everyone," he said.
"It was a tragic accident and [given] his relationship with Lake Eyre and William Creek, we feel it's fitting that we have this memorial service for him."
A priest from Coober Pedy led the service, which was attended by locals, pastoralists and those in the town.
The experienced ABC crew had been working on news and feature projects in the region when their Sydney-based chopper went down.
Tributes flow
Yesterday, ABC managing director Mark Scott said the ABC feared the worst and paid tribute to the men, who he called "three news gatherers at the peak of their craft".
"These guys loved getting out and about and finding great Australian stories and bringing them to the Australian people," he said.
"That's what they've been doing the last few days and their loss would be a terrible loss to all of us here."
On Friday morning John Bean's wife, Landline reporter Pip Courtney, said he was "the most wonderful husband a girl could wish for".
"Devastated, broken, I will be lost without him," she said in a statement.
"I fell in love with him on the road and adored working with him. He was so, so talented, I loved watching him at work. So privileged. I can't believe he's gone. Our families are devastated."
Lockyer's wife Maria also issued a statement.
"For 38 years Paul has been my soul mate, a loving husband and father and a loyal friend to many. He will be in our thoughts every day," she said.
The family of veteran pilot Ticehurst said he was a hero.
"It’s not every day you get to meet a legitimate hero so we, his loved ones, are eternally grateful to have spent a lifetime with one," the family said in a statement.
Three of the best
Lockyer was one of the ABC's most experienced journalists with an award-winning career spanning more than 40 years locally and internationally.
He had been a correspondent in Washington, Singapore and throughout Asia and won a Logie Award for best TV reporter.
His work in recent years focused on regional and rural issues and his work on the Queensland floods this year won universal acclaim.
Ticehurst is a legend among media pilots - he has served the ABC for more than 25 years and was well liked by all who flew with him.
He had served as the lead pilot for the ABC in Sydney since the mid 1980s and was a larger-than-life figure who was known by everyone in the news room.
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.
He travelled extensively throughout Australia and the Pacific region for work and last year completed a stint in the Washington Bureau.
The tragedy is the worst to hit the ABC since four staff members died in a light plane crash west of Rockhampton in 1983.