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General News

10 April, 2019

Body retrieved from aircraft crash site

The body of the deceased pilot who crashed on the Herberton Range on Monday was retrieved this morning.

By Rhys Thomas

Body retrieved from aircraft crash site - feature photo

THE body of 71-YEAR-OLD Townsville man Richard O’Sullivan who died on Monday when the plane he was piloting crashed on the Herberton Range south of Atherton was retrieved by crews at approximately 10am this morning.

The retrieval of the deceased pilot was scheduled to occur yesterday, however poor weather conditions hindered their recovery efforts.

The crash occurred at approximately 4pm on Monday, after a search for the aircraft was activated when the plane failed to reach Atherton.

The remote location of the crash meant it was only accessible for emergency response teams by air.

Once the helicopter search crew located the aircraft, a crewman was winched down to the scene where he located the pilot contained within the wreckage and confirmed the man was deceased.

“At around 4pm Monday, April 8, we had received information that an aircraft was missing on a flight from Mount Garnet through to Atherton which had a single pilot on-board,” Tablelands Patrol Group Inspector Russell Rhodes said.

“At this stage it’s unable to be certified exactly what was the cause of the fatal crash.”

Inspector Rhodes said it is a deeply sad incident and whatever assistance is needed for the man’s family at this time will be provided.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

 

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