Recovery mission after fatal Osprey helicopter crash as probe to take more than 10 days

The mission to recover three US Marines killed in an army exercise in the NT will be a complex, lengthy process, the territory’s top cop has said.

A Care Flight helicopter is seen on the tarmac of the Darwin International Airport in Darwin on August 27, 2023, as rescue work is in progress to transport those injured in the US Osprey military aircraft crash at a remote island north of Australia's mainland. Three US Marines died on August 27 after an Osprey aircraft crashed on a remote tropical island north of Australia during war games, US military officials said. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

The recovery mission and investigation into a horror helicopter crash which killed three U.S. Marines will be “prolonged, enduring and complex,” according to the NT Police Commissioner.

“We are planning to be at the crash site for at least ten days at this stage,” Michael Murphy told a press conference on Monday.

“The emergency operations centre will now focus on the recovery of the three deceased Marines with dignity.”

Natasha Fyles (R), Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, speaks as Michael Murphy, the Northern Territory's police commissioner, stands behind during a press conference in Darwin. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

The three Marines were killed when their V-22 Osprey aircraft crashed shortly after 9:30am on Sunday during a training exercise on the Tiwi Islands, 60km north of Darwin.

A further twenty people needed to be transferred to hospital for further treatment.

Earlier in Monday’s press conference, NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles paid an emotional tribute to those involved in the accident.

“I would just like to start by acknowledging that the Marines are part of the Territory community,” began Ms Fyles, her voice shaking as she spoke.

“These people weren’t simply here for a few weeks on an exercise..... we are all feeling their loss,” she added, before going on to praise the rescue effort, which took place in a remote area of the NT.

“It was a huge effort from that remote location across to Darwin,” said Ms Fyles.

Some of those involved in the crash were still being treated in the Royal Darwin Hospital as of Monday afternoon (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

As of Monday afternoon there were still eight people being treated in Royal Darwin Hospital, with Ms Fyles confirming twelve people had been discharged.

Ms Fyles did not confirm the condition of those who remained in hospital, but looked to reassure their families that they were getting “the best care possible”.

As well as recovering the bodies of the dead Marines, the next stage of the operation will look to determine what caused the fatal crash.