Four people are feared dead after an Australian army helicopter crashed in waters off the Queensland coast.
Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed on Saturday morning that the helicopter was ditched in waters near Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays during a two aircraft exercise around 10.30pm on Friday night.
The four Australian personnel on board the MRH-90 are yet to be found.
“Because there was another helicopter present, a search and rescue was able to commence immediately,” Minister Marles said.
“As we speak to you now, the four air crew are yet to be found and the search and rescue continues.”
Minister Marles said the families of the four people on board have been notified.
“Our hopes and our thoughts are very much with the air crew and their families,” he said.
“Our hopes are very much with the efforts of the search and rescue crews as they go about their work right now.”
Mr Marles said it was early days and there would be more information provided.
“But defence exercises which are so necessary for the readiness of our defence force are serious and they carry risk,” he said.
“And as we desperately hope for better news during the course of this day we are reminded about the gravity of the act which comes with wearing our nation’s uniform.”
Chief of Defence, General Angus Campbell said it was a terrible time
“Our focus at the moment is finding our people and supporting their families and the rest of our team,” he said.
“This is indeed a terrible moment.”
The aircraft was taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre, a training operation that involves defence forces from Australia, the United States and other allies.
All operators involved Talisman Sabre are now on hold.
