Five killed in helicopter crash near Melbourne, Australia

MELBOURNE – Five people have been killed after a helicopter crashed in Mount Disappointment yesterday morning local time.

According to Victoria police, the chartered helicopter had taken off from Moorabbin Airport before picking up passengers in Batman Park, Melbourne about 7am (10am Malaysian time).

The flight was destined for Ulupna in northern Victoria.

Police said in a statement that the wreckage was found in the vicinity of Blair’s Hut about 11.45am yesterday.

The pilot and four passengers died at the scene.

The victims are:

- A 32-year-old man from Cheltenham, Victoria

- A 50-year-old woman from Inverloch, Victoria

- A 73-year-old man from Albert Park, Victoria

- A 59-year-old man from New South Wales

- A 70-year-old man from New South Wales

The search and rescue operation is ongoing, including authorities clearing a path to the crash site with bulldozers and an excavator.

The exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined and will be investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. – The Vibes, April 1, 2022