A very sad day for the ABC at Lake Eyre
Submitted: Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 07:52
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Member - Stephen L (Clare SA)
Hi All
Like Thousands of Australians, we have just woken up to the news of a terrible helicopter crash at Lake Eyre with the death of 3 of the ABC finest men.
Lake Eyre Tragedy
Condolences to their families.
Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 08:27
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 08:27
It seems that the crash was in the vicinity of the mouth of
Cooper Creek. Having flown over the area twice on consecutive days not much more than a month a go I feel more involved in this tragedy and understand the remoteness of the
crash site.
Paul Lockyer's work during the floods in SE Queensland has given him a special place in the hearts of many Queenslanders. Our deepest sympathy go to the families of these men and to their ABC colleges.
There is little consolation in knowing that they died doing what they loved.
Kevin
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 09:06
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 09:06
Hi Kevin
That is the part I can not work out. As we all know, the Cooper enters Lake Eyre on the eastern side, and that is what they were saying where the accident is supposed to have happened. Then they went on to say that it was 140 kilometres north west of
Marree which puts it in the complete opposite direction.
It was exactly a week ago that we took our second helicopter flight in that area.
A tragic loss of lives.
Stephen
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - cuffs (SA) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 09:16
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 09:16
Stephen
You should know reporting a story is more important than the truth.
At this time the exact location is probably only know by the locals
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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 09:43
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 09:43
I suppose it will be a bit clearer when journos actually get to the site. I just missed the start of the 5.00 am ABC news but thought I heard a mention of Trevir Wright's name. I wondered if he raised the alarm. That would be consistant with north west of
Marree. I wondered if the ABC crew were working out of
William Creek.
Kevin
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Follow Up By: Charlie B2 - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 13:01
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 13:01
Hi all,
Sad indeed.
Matthew Abraham and David Bevan interviewed Rex Ellis on today's morning show on 891
Adelaide about 8:30am or so. Apparently the crew had taken off about 7:00pm last night from where Rex's tour group was and had only been airborne for a minute or two when the helo went behind a rise, the sound faded and a glow appeared. Rex indicated that the helo wasn't looking like a normal flight. I understand Rex and his group (or some of them) took about an hour to get to the site on foot, wading through shallow water.
Perhaps a podcast would be available on the ABC website, if any are interested in pursuing further.
SAPOL were holding a press conference at 11:30 this morning, too.
Regards,
Charlie
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 14:30
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 14:30
Hi Charlie
Thanks for that. I will try to see if I can hear that report.
Thanks for the reply
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 09:04
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 09:04
An absolute shocker.
I was up at about 3am (had enough sleep) and jumped on the computer and read about it.
Just a sad, sad thing.
I believe Paul came from Narrogin in country WA. He did very
well.
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 14:27
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 14:27
Hi Gone Bush
Paul was a top journalist and had a great passion for the Outback and the 2 documentary's that he did on Lake Eyre were fantastic.
The team will be very sadly missed.
Cheers
Stephen
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Follow Up By: Member - Vince B (NSW) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 22:18
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 22:18
Hi Stephen.
The ABC recently released a dvd titled "After the Deluge". It featured the outback & south east queensland floods. Paul was the reporter &
John did the excellent camera work.
May they rest in peace.
Regards.
Vince
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 22:33
Friday, Aug 19, 2011 at 22:33
Hi Vince
They had a great love of the outback. The ABC News here in SA said that the
Police are still at the site, and will be so for a number of days to come. They also said that it could be 12 months until the cause of the tragedy is known.
A very sad day for all Australians.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Member - Heather MG NSW - Saturday, Aug 20, 2011 at 17:35
Saturday, Aug 20, 2011 at 17:35
Yes Stephen this is such a sad ending for these three most talented men who died doing what they loved. I relished their stories of the Outback and will miss them. I feel like I have lost friends.
I feel so sad for their families and friends.
Regards,
Heather
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 20, 2011 at 18:53
Saturday, Aug 20, 2011 at 18:53
Hi Heather
Yes indeed it was a very sad day for all Australians with an affiliation with the Outback. It has had a lot of media coverage here in SA. They interviewed Peter
Young from one of
Adelaide's four wheel drive stores that was out with Rex Ellis when it went down. From what he was saying it sounds like it was on fire
well before it hit the ground.
Cheers
Stephen
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