US military aircraft crashes in NT, one critically hurt
Kathryn Magann |
A United States military officer has been critically injured and others have been rescued after their aircraft crashed off the Northern Territory coast during a training drill.
The Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft is believed to have been carrying 23 American personnel when it crashed on Melville Island, with emergency services called to respond shortly before 10am local time on Sunday.
Three personnel were transported by Careflight to Royal Darwin Hospital, one in a critical condition and the other two stable.
No fatalities have been reported and there is no indication Australian personnel were involved.
The Department of Defence said the incident occurred during Exercise Predator’s Run 2023.
“Initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defence personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved,” a Defence spokesperson said.
“At this critical early stage, our focus is on the incident response and ensuring the safety of those involved.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking in Karratha, said the Australian Defence Force is working with its US partners to offer any assistance needed.
“Our focus as a government and defence department is on incident response and support at this difficult time,” he said.
“We are focused on providing practical assistance on the ground. Obviously this is a regrettable incident.”
He declined to comment when asked whether all personnel involved in the crash had been accounted for.
“We want to make sure that any information provided is accurate. We do follow protocol at times like this. This is a difficult incident. We are responding fully,” he said.
About 150 US marines are stationed in Darwin and taking part in military drills alongside personnel from Australia and the Philippines.
NT Police confirmed they had responded to the incident.
AAP
