CANBERRA, Aug 28 (NNN-AAP) – A mission was underway, to recover the bodies of three U.S. Marines, who were killed in an aircraft crash off Australia’s north coast.
The U.S. MV-22B Osprey aircraft was carrying 23 personnel, when it crashed off the coast of the Northern Territory (NT), during a routine military training exercise yesterday.
The Marine Rotational Force in Darwin confirmed last night, the deaths of three Marines and injuries to the remaining 20, five of whom were transported to the Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.
Providing an update on the incident today, NT Police Commissioner, Michael Murphy, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio that, the focus of the emergency services response had changed from rescue to recovery.
He said, crews worked through the night to retrieve the bodies from rugged terrain on Melville Island, approximately 60 km north of Darwin.
The crash site had been secured by NT Police and defence personnel, with investigations underway into what caused the crash.
A code brown – Australia’s highest level of alert – was declared at the Royal Darwin Hospital yesterday, but has since been stood down.
Australian Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, told ABC TV today that, he had been in contact with the U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, to express the government’s condolences and offer support.
“We’ve been reminded, ourselves, of the risks involved in defence exercises and the costs that defence personnel pay,” he said.– NNN-AAP
