CHOPPER TRAGEDY
Four feared dead after helicopter plunges into the sea off Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays
FOUR people are feared dead after a military helicopter smashed into the sea in Australia.
The incident happened during Exercise Talisman Sabre - Australia’s largest joint military exercise with United States.
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The MRH 90 Taipan chopper crashed into the ocean off Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays with four people on board at about 11pm on Friday night.
The wreckage of the Australian Defences Force aircraft was reportedly recovered south of Hamilton Island - but search and rescue teams are still searching for four passengers.
Deputy prime minister Richard Marles said the chopper was taking part in a mission with another helicopter - which meant a search and rescue operation was launched immediately.
"The families of the four air crew have been notified of this incident and our hopes and our thoughts are very much with the air crew and their families," he said.
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"These are early days and there will be much more information to be provided about this incident but defence exercises, which are so necessary for the readiness of our defence force, are serious.
"They carry risk 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."
According to reports, military aircraft are scouring the Airlie Beach area in far north Queensland.
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Launched in 2005, Talisman Sabre is a joint military exercise between Australia and the US.
But it has expanded to 13 nations this year - involving 30,000 military personnel.
The 14-day drills running until August 4 will test large scale logistics, land combat, amphibious landings and air operations.
"It's going to be the most significant logistics exercise that we will see between Australia and the United States in Australia since the Second World War," deputy prime minister Richard Marles said last week.
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