latest on the chopper crash

Chopper crash victims named

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has released the names of the nine people killed in a helicopter crash on the Indonesian island of Nias on Saturday.

Two men survived the accident and are being treated for fractures on HMAS Kanimbla, which is located just off Nias.

The Royal Australia Navy has lost Lieutenant Mathew Davy and Lieutenant Paul Kimlan from the ACT, Lieutenant Jonathan King from Queensland, Lieutenant Matthew Goodall, Petty Officer Stephen Slattery and Leading Seaman Scott Bennett from New South Wales.

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force who died in the accident were Squadron Leader Paul McCarthy from Western Australia, Flight Lieutenant Lyn Rowbottom and Sergeant Wendy Jones from Queensland.

The ADF says their bodies are likely to be returned to Australia next week.

Helicopter pilot Lieutenant Kimlan's girlfriend Laura Ryan says he was a wonderful man.

"Paul was one of a kind," she said.

"A young man full of promise and hope who died helping others in their time of need.

"The loss of Paul is a devastating blow to his family, many friends and colleagues. We will remember him forever."

Lieutenant Kimlan's sister Janelle Carter says he was dedicated to his job.

"Paul Kimlan died doing what he loved, flying and making a difference to communities around the world," she said.

"Paul served Australia in East Timor, Christmas Island, Iraq and Indonesia and flew in support of many national rescue missions."

Investigation
An investigation is now under way into the cause of the crash.

Australian officers, headed by Commander George Maguire of the Kanimbla, have arrived at the crash site and are inspecting the wreckage.

A forensic investigation, including photography, is taking place.

The bodies have not yet been removed from the wreckage, which stands no more than one metre and a half high at its highest point. The nose cone of the craft was thrown 20 metres.

The Australian contingent has taken statements from eyewitnesses to the crash.

They have told the ABC that the helicopter circled twice before attempting a landing on a football field.

Around 30 metres short of the field, the witnesses say the engine stopped and the helicopter slammed into the ground nose first.

The witnesses say a number of people approached the helicopter to help pull the two survivors free, but the aircraft burst into flames within five or 10 minutes of impact.
Aid mission continues
The Kanimbla, equipped with 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 helicopter that crashed had been flying a medical relief team from the Kanimbla to a village at the time of the accident.

The Indonesian Embassy has expressed its sympathy and condolences to the families of the nine servicemen and women who died in the crash on the island.

A statement from the Embassy says Indonesia will always feel indebted to the seven men and two women who sacrificed their lives while helping those on Nias.

Prime Minister John Howard says he is proud of them.

"They died doing good things in the name of this country," he said.

Chief of the ADF General Peter Cosgrove says the Kanimbla will remain off the coast of the Indonesian island until it has finished its mission.

"Our medical element sent forward will remain in support of the earthquake relief effort," he said.

Meanwhile, the Governor-General is unlikely to attend the wedding of the Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles because of Saturday night's helicopter crash.

Major General Michael Jeffery had planned to leave Canberra tomorrow for London.

But a spokesman for the Governor-General says his priority is to be in Australia when the bodies of the nine servicemen and women are returned.

The Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove, says the helicopter crash that has killed nine personnel is a terrible tragedy, but the rest of Australia's deployment to Indonesia will continue its earthquake relief work.

AAP South-East Asia correspondent Rob Taylor, who is on board the HMAS Kanimbla, says the death of nine military personnel in the crash of the ship's helicopter has caused great distress among the crew, which has spent more than three months together at sea.

Nine Australian soldiers have been killed in a helicopter crash will assisting residents of the earthquake-stricken Indonesia island of Nias.

The Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove, says a stress management team has been dispatched to Nias to assist the troops to complete their mission.
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