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Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the crew of a RAN Sea King Helicopter that has crashed on the Island of NIAS in Indonesia whilst offering assistance to the locals.
I guess its better that they died doing something helpful than playing with their toys in the sand for no good reason. RIP and speedy recoveries to all involved.
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Nine Aussies dead in chopper crash: reports
Reports from the Indonesian island of Nias say that as many as nine Australian Defence Force personnel have been killed in a helicopter crash in the remote southern region of the island.
A Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopter is said to have been approaching the village of Amandraya when it crashed on land.
A report from Australian Associated Press (AAP) quotes the captain of the HMAS Kanimbla, Commander George McGuire, as saying that two of the people on board the helicopter were seriously injured.
"We believe the rest of the personnel died," he told AAP.
However, an Indonesian air force spokesman has told Agence France Presse (AFP) that residents in the village saw the crash and saw three people climbing out of the helicopter afterwards.
The Kanimbla, equipped with Sea King helicopters and medical personnel, arrived off Nias on Saturday to help deliver aid and medical care to survivors of a massive earthquake.
On Monday a magnitude 8.7 earthquake hit the area, killing hundreds.
The Kanimbla is heading towards the area to try to reach the downed aircraft.
Many of the roads on Nias, a rugged tropical island off the coast of Sumatra, were left impassable by the earthquake.
But seriously, it's far to early to have a cause .. apparently (reports) the helo was on approach and about 20 metres from the ground started a nose dive and exploded upon impact.
Reports are sketchy and you all know what the media is like.
They are trying to put Australians at the scene ASAP to begin investigation.
Sad to hear, RIP, and for those who survived, seriously injured , may they come over the sorrow that they may get after this .. My condolences to the families !
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