The identities of the two pilots who died when their helicopters collided shortly after take-off in the Kimberley region of Western Australia have been revealed.
Peter Ritter, 29, and Gavin U’Ren, 30, were killed at Mount Anderson Station in Camballin at around 6.20am local time on Thursday while rounding up cattle.
At least one of the helicopters caught fire after crashing into the ground.
Due to the remote location of the station, it took approximately 45 minutes for emergency services to arrive on the scene.
The men worked for Broome-based helicopter company Pearl Coast Helicopters.
Pearl Coast Helicopters reports with great sadness the tragic loss of two of our valued and highly experienced pilots in a helicopter accident at Mount Anderson Station earlier today.
‘The accident is terrible and we extend our condolences to the families and friends of the pilots involved, and to our team, who are deeply saddened by this loss.
A few weeks before the tragedy, Mr. U’Ren spoke about his love of helicopters in an interview with Farm Weekly.
Helicopter crash victim Gavin U’ren
Helicopter crash victim Peter Ritter
“When I saw them working and got to go up in the helicopters occasionally, I realized this was what I wanted to do,” Mr. U’Ren said in his recent interview.
‘Becoming friends with some pilots, seeing how they lived, traveling around and seeing some beautiful scenery made it all become a reality.’
Western Australia Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
“It is a tragic incident that has occurred today. Everyone deserves to go to work and come home safe and sound, but sadly two young men aged 29 and 30 have lost their lives,” said Steven Thompson, Chief of the Western Australia Police Service.
‘On behalf of the Western Australia Police Service I would like to extend my condolences to the families, friends, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives today. I can only imagine the pain and suffering they are going through.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will also conduct an investigation into the incident and send a team of investigators to the crash site.
“They will conduct a range of evidence gathering activities including examining the wreckage and mapping the site, and recovering all relevant parts for further examination at the ATSB’s engineering facilities in Canberra,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
Two pilots have died after two helicopters collided shortly after takeoff at Mount Anderson Station (pictured) in Western Australia’s Kimberley region on Thursday morning
The crash site near Mount Anderson Station in Camballin, WA is pictured
‘Investigators will also 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 published in about two months and the final investigation would take place later.
“Should a serious safety issue come to light during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify the relevant parties so that safety measures can be taken,” he said.
The Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company manages the Indigenous-owned cattle ranch approximately 120 kilometres south of Derby.