Spencer Collart, Eleanor LeBeau, Tobin Lewis killed in Marines’ chopper crash
The US military has confirmed it will continue to use Osprey aircraft after the bodies of three fallen marines were returned to Darwin following Sunday’s devastating crash.
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The US military has confirmed it will continue to fly Osprey aircraft after the bodies of three marines who tragically died in a crash on Sunday returned to Darwin.
A ramp ceremony was held at the RAAF base in Eaton to honour Major Tobin Lewis, 37, Captain Eleanor LeBeau, 29, and Corporal Spencer Collart who died in the Melville Island crash.
It is expected the deceased Marines bodies will remain at Royal Darwin Hospital until transportation back to their homes in the United States can be organised.
There will be another ramp ceremony in Darwin prior to departure from the Marine Rotational Force to allow members of MRF-D to farewell their fallen comrades.
Another Marine was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder told media there had been no stand down order on the Osprey aircraft.
“I’m not aware of any service activity as it relates to any kind of messages in terms of potential stand-downs or anything like that,” he said.
“We need to look at the data here and look at each situation and judge it on its own merits. “But, of course, safety is always going to be a priority when it comes to aircraft and aviation and operations.”
Sombre scenes as remains of fallen US Marines return to Darwin
The remains of three US marines who died in an MV-22B Osprey crash in the Tiwi Islands on Sunday arrived in Darwin on Tuesday evening, while a fourth comrade fights for their life in a Melbourne hospital.
A sacred ramp ceremony was carried out at the RAAF Base in Eaton about 7pm to honour 21-year-old Corporal Spencer Collart, 29-year-old Captain Eleanor LeBeau and 37-year-old Major Tobin Lewis.
One marine remains in critical condition and has been transferred to The Alfred Centre hospital in Melbourne while another two remain in Royal Darwin Hospital in stable condition.
It comes after a band of 50 American marines kept vigil during a sunset candlelight memorial for their three fallen comrades, killed in a horrific aircraft crash during a training exercise in the Northern Territory.
Surrounded by candlelights on Monday evening the Americans Marine Corps in Darwin paid tribute to 21-year-old Corporal Spencer Collart, 29-year-old Captain Eleanor LeBeau and 37-year-old Major Tobin Lewis who were all killed after the fatal aircraft crash on the Tiwi Islands on Sunday.
The three marines were among 20 others on-board a MV-22B Osprey when it went down near Pickataramoor while transporting troops on the first day of Exercise Predators Run.
A fourth person remains in a critical condition, while two others are in a stable condition.
Darwin Marine Rotational Force Commanding Officer Colonel Brendan Sullivan said the three marines killed were “respected and beloved members of the MRF-D family”.
Corporal Collart enlisted in October 2020 and served in Florida, North Carolina and Hawaii.
The 21-year-old received National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
He was the crew chief on board the Osprey during the exercise.
The pilot of the Osprey, Captain LeBeau was commissioned to the Marine Corps in 2018 and served in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Hawaii.
Like Corporal Collart, she also received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Captain LeBeau was promoted to her rank on March 1.
Major Lewis served in the Marine Corps since 2008 and achieved his rank in October 2018.
He served in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Japan, and Hawaii.
The highly decorated Major received two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
It comes as hundreds of Territorians gathered around the cenotaph at the Esplanade for a sunset candlelight vigil and minutes’ silence for the fallen marines in Darwin on Monday.
Darwin sub-branch social committee member Sam Weston said 50 marines were present at the “emotional” tribute to the Osprey crash victims.
“Once the marines rocked up everyone could see their devastation and we all started crying,” Mr Weston said.
The Australian veteran said the entire community felt they had lost “some of our own”.
“This was close to home,” Mr Weston said.
“We lost three people on our shores — it was liking losing our own.”
Mr Weston said the marine’s deaths, so soon after the fatal Queensland Taipan crash, made the wound much more painful.
“We were just getting over that one,” he said.
“It just shows how dangerous this training can be.”
He said as the last light of the sun dipped over the horizon and the remaining mourners left, the US marines maintained at the candlelight vigil.
“They were still there after I left,” Mr Weston said.
Colonel Brendan Sullivan thanked everyone who responded to the crash and came “together to assist us in this difficult time”.
“At present, we remain focused on required support to the ongoing recovery and investigative efforts,” he said.
The cause of the fiery crash remains under investigation, with a 10-day operation expected to pick through the remains of the wreckage in the remote Tiwi Islands region.
Tiwi Island residents reported strong “mad winds” bending trees on the day of the crash, with Pickataramoor known to locals as a particularly gusty area.
Fifteen minutes before the crash the Bureau of Meteorology recorded “moderate” to “fresh winds” with gusts of 19 knots at Point Fawcett, 94km west of the crash, and 11 knots at Pirlangimpi, 64km away.
On Tuesday morning the Northern Territory parliament stood for a minute’s silence to mark the “profound sorrow” of a horror chopper crash that killed three US Marines.
Speaker Mark Monaghan said the assembly extended its “deepest sympathies and unwavering support” to the families of those fallen.
“It’s a stark reminder of the tremendous dedication and courage exhibited not only by those who serve but the families who stand behind them while on international deployment,” he said.
“As you navigate this painful journey of loss, know that the Northern Territory stands beside you.”
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the incident had “rocked” the community.
“We have a long and enduring relationship with the United States when it comes to military,” she said.
“These Marines don’t simply come here for an exercise and then leave – they’re a part of our community.”
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said her thoughts were with the “families who are grieving and with a nation grieving”.
“We wrap our arms around them and say that we are here … and also to those who continue to heal” she said.
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy on Monday said the fallen Marines’s remains would be retrieved “with dignity” in the coming days.
“This recovery and investigation will be prolonged and complex,” he said.
“We are planning to be at the crash site for at least 10 days at this stage.”
National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre executive director Len Notaras commended the multi-agency efforts to recover and treat the Osprey’s crew following the crash.
Professor Notaras said the disaster was “right up there” with the most serious incidents the NCCTRC had responded to in its 21-year history.
“We have heard from those who were responding locally from the clinics that it was a horrendous scene and it really was underpinned by the severity of the crash itself,” he said.
Three Marines remain in Royal Darwin Hospital, with one in a critical condition in the intensive care unit.
Seventeen more were taken to hospital but have since been treated and discharged.
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