Army personnel have spent the night scouring waters off Fiji in search of a soldier missing after a Blackhawk helicopter crashed at sea.
One soldier was killed in the crash, which happened late yesterday afternoon as the helicopter, carrying six SAS soldiers and four air crew, came into land on board HMAS Kanimbla.
The Blackhawk fell heavily onto the deck, and then went over the side of the ship into water 2000 to 3000 metres deep.
Nine soldiers were plucked from the sea after the crash, Defence Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said last night. One of the injured subsequently died, and efforts were last night still underway to find the missing serviceman.
"We won't give up searching until all hope is lost," Chief Marshal Houston said.
"We still have not given up hope of finding the individual."
Nov 29, 2006 @ 20:06:38
