Update noon
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police are investigating the scene of a fatal helicopter crash north of Cloncurry.
A 40-year-old man, believed to be an employee of Cloncurry Mustering Company (CMC), was killed when his helicopter which crashed into power lines while mustering on Lanark property near the Sedan Dip Road 20km north of town around 7.15am Wednesday. He was the sole occupant.
Major and Organised Crime Squad Rural plain clothes constable Nick Hempel said from the scene the matter was under investigation.
“We can’t give any other details at this time,” Const Hempel said.
He requested media leave the area without taking photographs to respect the deceased and family, a request which the North West Star immediately complied with.
UPDATE 10am
One man is dead after a helicopter crash north of Cloncurry this morning.
The man aged 40 was the only occupant of the helicopter which crashed into power lines while mustering near the Sedan Dip Road and Burke Development Rd 20km north of town.
Initial reports that there were two people in the helicopter were incorrect.
The helicopter is understood to have clipped power lines before crashing.
Around 7.15am, police and emergency services were called to a property on Sedan Dip Road when a helicopter appears to have struck power lines and crashed into a paddock field.
The helicopter appears to have caught fire and the male pilot and sole occupant was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The fire has since been extinguished.
The Forensic Crash Unit is at the scene and are conducting investigations in coordination with other agencies.
Mount Isa mustering company Barkly Helicopters have confirmed none of their musterers was involved in the accident.
More to come.
Earlier story
A helicopter with two occupants has crashed into power lines near Cloncurry.
The helicopter is believed to have clipped power lines and crashed around 7.40am.
The crash took place north of Cloncurry near Sedan Dip Road and the Burke Development Rd.
Responders say a fire has reportedly broken out at the scene of the crash.
The helicopter is understood to have been involved in a mustering operation before clipping power lines and crashing.
A second helicopter nearby is reportedly en route to a nearby station to gather firefighting equipment.
It’s a busy week for emergency services as the incident follows a rollover near Cloncurry yesterday afternoon when a woman in her late teens and a man in his 20s were airlifted to Mount Isa Hospital.
