Australian Blackhawk Crashes In Pacific

[AussieNick]

An Australian Army Blackhawk crashed into the pacific off the coast of Fiji whilst attempting to land on the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla at last light on 29NOV06. Onboard were the 4 crew, and 6 SAS soldiers. The ships and troops are on standby to quell the possible coup in Fiji. Casualties are as follows.

1 Dead - The pilot (Captain Mark Bingley) died after being rescued from the water and treated onbaord HMAS Kanimbla
7 Injured - 7 Minor injuries to both aircrew and SAS soldiers
1 Missing, presumed dead - SAS Corporal went down with the helicopter, and no signs have been found of him yet. The helicopter has sunk in 2000m of water. Searching continues.

Rest in peace lads.

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/SpeechTpl.cfm?CurrentId=6183

 

[WNxRogue]

:salute: Rest in peace and honor brave soldiers.

 

[Sevens]

Very sad! May they rest in peace. And prayers to the survivors and everyone's families.

 

[tomtom22]

May they rest in peace.
:salute2:

 

[AussieNick]

NEWS UPDATE

Black Hawk crash trooper presumed dead


Monday Dec 4 02:31 AEDT
An elite soldier missing after last week's Black Hawk helicopter crash off Fiji is presumed dead.
More than four days of searching has failed to find any trace of 28-year-old Special Air Service Trooper Joshua Porter, and rescuers abandoned hope of finding him alive.
The decorated sniper who had served in Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands, was one of six soldiers and four crew aboard the helicopter when it crashed on Wednesday afternoon while attempting to land on HMAS Kanimbla.
Black Hawk crash trooper presumed dead


Monday Dec 4 02:31 AEDT
An elite soldier missing after last week's Black Hawk helicopter crash off Fiji is presumed dead.
More than four days of searching has failed to find any trace of 28-year-old Special Air Service Trooper Joshua Porter, and rescuers abandoned hope of finding him alive.
The decorated sniper who had served in Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands, was one of six soldiers and four crew aboard the helicopter when it crashed on Wednesday afternoon while attempting to land on HMAS Kanimbla.

So it seems the search will end. No doubt he's still with the Blackhawk.
Correction to my last. He was a trooper, not a corporal.
http://view.atdmt.com/MAU/iview/msnnkaus001160x600x103AUS00002mau/direct;wi.160;hi.600/01