Media Release

Air search for missing helicopter crewman suspended

Australian Search and Rescue has handed coordination of the search for a crewman from a crashed medical rescue helicopter to the Queensland police after an extensive aerial and surface search today.

Eight helicopters, two fixed wing aircraft, three volunteer rescue craft and Queensland water police and divers searched an area up to 170 sq nautical miles north-west of Mackay for the crewman after the two other men from the Bell 407 helicopter were found deceased at the crash site.

The three crew were on a flight from Mackay to Hamilton Island last night, arranged by the Queensland Ambulance Service, to evacuate an injured person.

The crashed helicopter was found semi-submerged just before midnight last night. It was later anchored by police divers.

Queensland police divers are still operating in the crash zone and Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators have arrived at the scene.

Further information:

David Gray AMSA PR 0418 487 794

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