QLD: Attempts to salvage crashed helicopter

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2001
QLD: Attempts to salvage crashed helicopter

Attempts are underway to salvage a rescue helicopter which crashed overnight on the
Great Barrier Reef.

The Capricorn helicopter from Rockhampton, was sent to rescue two Malaysian men on
a stricken yacht.

The yacht ran aground yesterday on Swains Reefs, about 240km northeast of Rockhampton.

It set off a distress beacon at the Canberra headquarters of Australian Maritime Safety
Authority's rescue arm, Australian Search and Rescue.

A second helicopter, Rescue 500 from Archerfield in Brisbane, was sent to the scene

to perform the double rescue.

DAVID GRAY of AMSA says the crew of the yacht and crashed helicopter were taken to
Gladstone Hospital and have been released with only minor injuries.

It is the second accident for the Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Service following a
fatal crash last year.

AAP RTV nr/kb

KEYWORD: REEF ( BRISBANE)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.