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Four dead in helicopter crash in WA
Authorities have confirmed four people are dead after a helicopter crashed near Kununurra in Western Australia.
An Air Search and Rescue spokesman says police have reached the crash site, 23 nautical miles north-west of the town.
He says the pilot radioed his intention shortly before 10:30am AWST this morning to put the helicopter down in a hard landing.
It is believed it crashed shortly afterwards.
Source: ABC News
An Air Search and Rescue spokesman confirmed the helicopter is owned by Kununurra-based charter company Heliwork.
Willie Nelson
8th Nov 2003, 14:31
Condolonces to all involved.....
the wizard of auz
8th Nov 2003, 15:48
Very bad news. any body know who was involved? I know folk up there.
Condolances to all involved. :(
Pseudonymn
8th Nov 2003, 17:01
Poor conditions hamper WA helicopter crash probe. 08/11/2003. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s985155.htm
Last Update: Saturday, November 8, 2003. 8:16pm (AEDT)
Four people died in the crash (ABC)
Poor conditions hamper WA helicopter crash probe
Difficult terrain and bad weather may hamper the investigation into a helicopter crash near Kununurra in Western Australia's far north.
All four people on board were killed when the helicopter crashed, about 23 nautical miles north-west of Kununurra about 10:30am AWST.
It is understood the charter flight was returning from a fishing trip.
People on board a second helicopter travelling with the group witnessed the crash and have been interviewed by Kununurra police.
Police spokesman Andy O'Neil says investigators have had trouble reaching the crash site.
"The area itself is very rugged, they haven't been able to get to it by vehicle, there's storms approaching so they've had to sit tight on it at the moment and we're waiting for Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators and the police forensic officer to attend Kununurra tomorrow and they'll continue the investigation," he said.
All four people killed in the crash are believed to be local residents.
Mr O'Neil says the crash has been a shock for the town.
"[It's] believed all the people were ... local residents - the names haven't been released as yet because we're still contacting family members," he said.
Northern Chique
9th Nov 2003, 07:49
There just arent words .... my sincerest thoughts go to the families and friends of these folks.
I lived in Kna for 5 years and I know, first hand, the impact that an aircrash has on a local community where pilots are well known to all. Very tragic news. My condolensces to all friends and families of the victims.
According to the WA Sunday Times and the ABC, the R44 was from Heliwork and the pilot was the "stepson of the company's owner". If that is the case, then this is indeed a terrible tragedy for the whole family as the R44 pilot's father also died in a B47 helicopter crash in 1985, at almost the same location.
Sincerest condolensces to all.