06 April 2005

Memorial service on HMAS Anzac for fallen comrades

ADF members are grieving the tragic loss of nine of their colleagues in a helicopter accident while on a humanitarian mission in Indonesia on 2 April 2005.

An accident investigation team has been dispatched to the crash site on the island of Nias to determine the cause of the accident, which as yet is unknown. Members of the Indonesian Armed Forces and local police are assisting the ADF investigation by securing the accident site and taking witness statements.

All aspects of the crash are being thoroughly investigated. In addition to an airworthiness investigation a Board of Inquiry and a Coronial Inquiry will be conducted.

Meanwhile, Operation Sumatra Assist (Phase 2) and other ADF operations and deployments around the world continue with characteristic dedication and professionalism.

20050403ran8095516_010 Chaplain Murray Lund (right) leads a memorial service on the flight deck of HMAS Anzac in memory of the nine personnel who died in the RAN Sea King crash in Indonesia on 2 April. HMAS Anzac is in the Mediterranean during its deployment under Operation Northern Trident. (Date taken: 04 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res