Aircraft Incident

Published Date: 23 Jan 2020

The NSW Rural Fire Service is investigating reports of a serious incident involving an aircraft in southern NSW this afternoon.

Contact was lost with a Large Air Tanker which was working in the Snowy Monaro area.

Local ground crews indicate the aircraft may have crashed.

A number of helicopters are in the area carrying out a search.

No further information is available at this time.

Update of crash from the Prime Minister

“Out of respect for the three US firefighters who lost their lives operating a Large Air Tanker, flags will fly at half mast in NSW tomorrow.

“Heartbreaking & devastating news that three US residents who were crew members operating a LAT in the Snowy Mountains region have lost their lives. Our thoughts & heartfelt condolences are with their families & the tight knit firefighting community.“

Heartbreaking & devastating news that three US residents who were crew members operating a LAT in the Snowy Mountains region have lost their lives. Our thoughts & heartfelt condolences are with their families & the tight knit firefighting community. pic.twitter.com/fQ5gphfm6A

— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) January 23, 2020

Out of respect for the three US firefighters who lost their lives operating a Large Air Tanker, flags will fly at half mast in NSW tomorrow.

— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) January 23, 2020

At midnight, there are 73 bush and grass fires burning across NSW with 30 not yet contained. No fires are at emergency warning. On the South Coast 3 remain at Watch and Act due to the continuing threat. Conditions are expected to ease tomorrow following a cool change. #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/SHznAgGqeg

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 23, 2020

159 US firefighters have been dispatched to help Australia Defense forces fight the Bush fires that have been going on for months