Cattle company employees confirmed as those killed and injured in helicopter crash, investigations continue

THE VICTIM in the fatal helicopter crash on Saturday was a 47 year-old male Hewitt Cattle Australia employee

The area of Ambalindum Station, where a fatal helicopter crash is being investigated

THE VICTIM in the fatal helicopter crash on Saturday was a 47 year-old male Hewitt Cattle Australia employee, the NT News can confirm.

His 23 year-old colleague remains in hospital with injuries sustained during the crash.

A statement from the HCA to the NT News stated that at approximately 8:11am on Saturday, a HCA helicopter carrying a pilot and one passenger was conducting aerial activities within Ambalindum and Numery Stations and crashed east of Alice Springs.

HCA director and chief executive Mick Hewitt said he was devastated to confirm that one of their employees had lost his life on Saturday “in a tragic helicopter accident”.

“Another employee was injured in the crash,” he said.

“Within minutes of the accident, a safety GPS tracking device was activated. This enabled us to locate the employees and deploy medical assistance.”

Mr Hewitt said the company had been in contact with the families of those on board the aircraft and was providing support.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at HCA are with them and their loved ones,” he said.

“Counselling services have been offered to our employees who may need help or support after the events on the weekend.

“We have extended our assistance and co-operation to investigation authorities and emergency services.”

NT Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) are continuing to investigate the crash.

An ATSB spokesman said the team had commenced their work this morning.

“Early this morning (Monday 26 November), a team of three transport safety investigators from the ATSB arrived at the scene of Saturday’s accident involving a Robinson R22 helicopter,” he said.

“The transport safety investigators, with specialties in helicopter operations and maintenance, flew to the accident site by helicopter, due to the remoteness.”

Further information is expected to be released by the ATSB in due course.

An NT Police spokeswoman said detectives were working on behalf of the coroner and “have provided assistance to the ATSB in relation to this incident”.

“NT Work Safe were also advised of the incident,” she said.

Canada’s biggest pension fund, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, bought Ambalindum Station and Numery Station, through the Queensland-based Hewitt Cattle Australia, in March 2017.

The properties cover 650,000ha with an estimated carrying capacity of 20,000 head of cattle.