Locals rally to assist in fatal helicopter crash at One Tree, near Hay.
By Tertia Butcher
Tribute has been paid for the efforts of local community members and volunteers in the search and rescue of a fatal helicopter crash near One Tree on Friday.
Retired paramedic, Robert Marmont said locals rallied to render assistance after an official alert went out to all aircraft in the area.
“It was a local plane which located the site of the accident and it was local landholders and the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue members who provided shade for the patient and emergency workers,” Mr Marmont told The Riverine Grazier.
“They stood for ages in the hot sun, holding a tarp over the site.”
A man in his 40s died at the scene. The 29-year-old pilot sustained serious injuries and is being treated in Melbourne Hospital.
AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) initiated a search to locate the helicopter after its emergency locator beacon was activated on impact, at around 10am.
Mr Marmont said the accident happened 14 kilometres along Corrong Road at 10am and the exact site remained unknown until the local plane found it, and then circled around the site, 200 to 300 metres above the ground, to indicate the location to emergency services.
SES Hay and Fire and Rescue took charge of providing First Aid while waiting for other medical services to arrive on the scene.
During his long career as paramedic, Mr Marmont has attended aircraft crash sites over the years, and said he was relieved there was no smoke coming from the helicopter.
He said emergency services did have to deal with leaking fuel and fumes while on site.
A crime scene has been established by officers attached to Murrumbidgee Police District and an investigation into the cause of the crash will be undertaken by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
Investigators will examine the site and map the wreckage as well as recover recording devices and any components deemed important for further examination.
The bureau has also put out a call to anyone who saw the crash to come forward.
The helicopter was registered in the USA and was flying from Broken Hill to Albury.
Investigators will examine the crash site and map the wreckage as well as recover recording devices and any components deemed important for further examination.
The bureau has also put out a call to anyone who saw the crash to come forward.
The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed and has footage of the accident, or who has footage of either aircraft in any phase of their flights, to contact them via the witness form on their website at the earliest convenience
The helicopter was registered in the USA and was flying from Broken Hill to Albury.
