All accounted for following helicopter incident off Jervis Bay

An Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan multi-role helicopter ditched into the water in vicinity of Jervis Bay, NSW during a routine training exercise.

All 10 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel on board the aircraft have been recovered and accounted for and are being assessed by medical personnel at HMAS Creswell, south of Nowra, NSW.

Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC, thanked emergency responders for their quick action.

“Tonight quick responses from ADF personnel and emergency services and well drilled teams prevented a potential tragedy,” said Lieutenant General Stuart.

“We will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident to determine the cause and ensure the platform remains safe to operate.” 

NSW Ambulance responded to the incident. Two ADF members were assessed to have sustained minor injuries.

The ADF personnel were conducting a routine counter-terrorism training activity in vicinity of Jervis Bay when the incident occurred.

As a precaution, Defence has temporarily paused the training activity and will ground the MRH-90 Taipan fleet while the cause of the incident is investigated.

The incident site is being contained by Australian Federal Police and port services personnel.