Ten Australian Defence Force personnel have swum for their lives after the helicopter they were on ditched into water off the NSW south coast during a night-time counter-terrorism training exercise.
The soldiers were plucked to safety in a dramatic rescue after the Army MRH-90 Taipan multirole helicopter ditched into the water near Jervis Bay just after 9pm on Wednesday.
Defence said two crew members sustained minor injuries.
“All 10 Australian Defence Force personnel on board the aircraft have been recovered and accounted for and are being assessed by medical personnel at HMAS Creswell, south of Nowra, NSW,” a Defence statement said.
One eyewitness reported an explosion and fire on board the Taipan seconds before it ditched.
Michael Underbock said he was on nearby Greenpatch Beach fishing with mates when he saw the helicopter hovering very close to the water.
“This chopper was just hovering above the water, about 20 or 30 metres above the water, and the engine started dying off a little bit. Then it picked back up again, rose a bit,” he told Seven’s Sunrise.
“There were all sorts of sparks on top of the chopper and then a big flash, a big bang and then a bit of a fire on top of the chopper then it ditched down.
“It was kind of all happening very, very low to the water and it was all over within a moment.”
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the helicopter had been recovered and the model will be grounded until an investigation is completed.
“The critical question is why did the engine stop,” he told Nine’s Today show on Thursday.
“All the crew are being looked after. Their family were notified again in a very prompt way, so everyone knew that everyone onboard was safe.”
Mr Marles praised the skill of the pilot in manoeuvring the chopper to ensure the safety of all on board.
“It is an incredible act on the part of the crew in managing to get the helicopter down in a manner where pretty well everyone’s able to walk away,” he said.
Army chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart thanked emergency responders for their quick action.
“Tonight quick responses from ADF personnel and emergency services and well-drilled teams prevented a potential tragedy,” Lieutenant General Stuart said.
“We will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident to determine the cause and ensure the platform remains safe to operate.”
Defence has temporarily paused the training activity and will ground the MRH-90 Taipan fleet while the cause of the incident is investigated.
The incident site is being contained by Australian Federal Police and port services personnel.
-with AAP
