The identities of the two pilots who died after their helicopters collided shortly after take-off in Western Australia’s Kimberley region have been revealed.
Peter Ritter, 29, and Gavin U’Ren, 30, lost their lives at Mount Anderson Station in Camballin while cattle mustering at about 6.20am local time on Thursday.
At least one of the helicopters caught fire after it crashed to the ground.
Emergency services took about 45 minutes to arrive at the crash site because of the station’s remote location.
The men worked for Broome-based helicopter company Pearl Coast Helicopters.
‘Pearl Coast Helicopters is deeply saddened to report the tragic loss of two of our valued and highly experienced pilots in a helicopter accident on Mount Anderson Station earlier today.
‘The accident is devastating and we express our condolences to the family and friends of the pilots involved, as well as our team, who are profoundly impacted by this loss.
Just weeks before the tragedy, Mr U’Ren spoke out about his love for helicopters in an interview with Farm Weekly.
Helicopter crash victim Gavin U’ren
Helicopter crash victim Peter Ritter
‘Watching them work, and getting to ride in the helicopters occasionally made me realise that was what I wanted to do,’ Mr U’Ren said in his recent interview.
‘Becoming mates with a few pilots, seeing the life they live, moving around and seeing some pretty cool countryside just concreted it.’
WA Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
‘This is a tragic incident that’s happened today, everyone deserves to go to work and come home again safe and sound, but unfortunately, two young men, aged 29 years and 30 years respectively, have lost their lives,’ WA Police Superintendent Steven Thompson said.
‘On behalf of the WA Police force, I want to express my condolences to the family, friends, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives today — I can only imagine what pain and suffering they are going through.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will also conduct an investigation into the incident and will send a team of investigators to the crash site.
‘They will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities including wreckage examination and site mapping, and will recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,’ ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
Two pilots have died after two helicopters collided shortly after take-off near Mount Anderson Station (pictured) in Western Australia’s Kimberley region on Thursday morning
The crash site location near Mount Anderson Station at Camballin in WA is pictured
‘Investigators will also seek to interview witnesses and collect relevant recorded data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information.’
Mr Mitchell said an interim report would be released in about two months, with a final investigation due later.
‘However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken,’ he said.
The Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company runs the Indigenous-owned cattle station, which is about 120 kilometres south of Derby.
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