Pilot killed in WA chopper crash identified as local Troy Thomas
The Western Australian man piloting a chopper which tragically left himself and one other dead, and two others in a critical condition, has been identified.
The chopper pilot involved in a crash yesterday that left him and a 12-year-old dead, and another two passengers in a critical condition, has been identified.
Broome local Troy Thomas was flying a Robinson R44 helicopter around 2.30pm yesterday when it crashed on Antheous Way in an industrial area in the Broome suburb of Bilingurr.
Mr Thomas, 40, was the former owner-operator of Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures.
However, he had been out of the business for a few years, and was running his own private flight when the fatal crash occurred.
Three passengers were also on board at the time of the crash, including a 12-year-old girl who died two hours after being rushed to Broome Hospital.
A 24-year-old woman and another 12-year-old girl, believed to be Thomas’ daughter, were both flown to Perth via the Royal Flying Doctor Service on Saturday afternoon in a critical condition.
It is understood by Sunday morning the 12-year-old girl was in a serious but stable condition.
Mr Thomas was found dead when emergency services reached the scene.
A Broome fire and rescue vehicle and police cars were used blocked the entry way to the crash site.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incident.
Police said after the chopper took off, “an issue occurred early in the air”.
The pilot has been involved in the WA tourism industry since he started his own fishing charter business in Broome when he was just 18 years old.
For the past 14 years, Mr Thomas has owned and operated Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures and has won countless awards including three consecutive gold medals at the national tourism awards in Canberra.
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