Qld: Four in hospital after Great Barrier Reef double rescue

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2001
Qld: Four in hospital after Great Barrier Reef double rescue

Rescue authorities say four people are in hospital after a helicopter crashed attempting
to rescue the crew of a stricken yacht on the Great Barrier Reef last night.

DAVID GRAY of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority says a second helicopter was
sent to the scene to perform a double rescue.

He says the yacht ran aground 5pm (AEST) yesterday on Swain's Reef, about 240 kilometres
northeast of Rockhampton, and set off a distress beacon at the Canberra headquarters of
Australian Search and Rescue.

A Bell 407 Capricorn helicopter from Rockhampton was sent to rescue the two people
on board, but crashed on the reef not far from the yacht about midnight (AEST).

Mr GRAY says the second helicopter picked up two Malaysian males aged 45 and 32 who
were on board the yacht, as well as the two men in the Capricorn.

He says they're all in a good condition.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau began an investigation into the accident last night.





It's the second accident for the Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Service following a crash
last year in which five people were killed near Marlborough.

AAP RTV as/nr/cdh/ge/hn

KEYWORD: REEF (SYDNEY)

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