Human remains found after army helicopter crash in Queensland

Human remains have been found after an army helicopter crashed off the coast of Queensland during the Talisman Sabre military training exercise.

The MRH90 Taipan crashed into the ocean south of Hamilton Island around 10:30 p.m. on Friday during a training exercise with four crew members on board.

No trace had been found of Captain Daniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Petty Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs.

But on Thursday, a remote-controlled vehicle discovered unidentified human remains 40 meters underwater among cockpit debris near the suspected crash site.

No trace had been found of Corporal Alexander Naggs, (left) Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent (center) and Petty Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock (right)

On Thursday, a remote-controlled underwater vehicle discovered unidentified human remains among parts of the cockpit near the crash site

Australian Defense Force chief of joint operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton warned that definitive identification was unlikely to be possible until more of the wreckage was located.

“The debris field corresponds to a catastrophic, high-impact event,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I can confirm that unidentified human remains have also been observed at this location by the remotely operated underwater vehicle.

Captain Daniel Lyon is one of four missing crew members from last Friday’s crash in Taipan

“Due to the nature of the debris field, positive identification of the remains is unlikely until we recover more of the wreckage.”

He said the military had spoken to relatives of the crew and kept them informed.

The helicopter’s black box flight recorder has yet to be found, which will hold the key to unraveling what happened in the helicopter’s final moments.

The troubled Taipan fleet is currently grounded until more is known about the cause of the crash, following previous concerns over the helicopter model.

Lt. Gen. Bilton added, “It’s a difficult task, but we’ll do our very best to find it — the black box is critical to helping us understand what really happened.”

All four crew members were members of the Army’s 6th Aviation Richmond Unit, based at Holsworthy Army barracks in Sydney.

Lieutenant Nugent is the son of Senior NSW Police Officer Daniel Nugent, the brother of Australian comedian Geoff Nugent – better known by his stage name Jim Jefferies.

The comedian is flying back to Australia from the US to be with family and took to social media on Tuesday to pay tribute to his cousin.

“On Friday, July 28, my cousin Lieutenant Max Nugent was killed in a tragic helicopter crash involving three other soldiers: Captain Daniel Lyon, Petty Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs,” he wrote.

“My heart goes out to these three families, knowing how much pain they feel and that their lives will never be the same again.

‘I remember the day Max was born. He was the first child of my brother and sister-in-law and the first grandchild on both sides of his family.

“He couldn’t have been more loved and welcome in this world. We had high expectations of Max and he did not disappoint.’

Lieutenant Max Nugent (pictured) is the son of senior NSW police officer Daniel Nugent, and cousin of Australian comedian Jim Jefferies who paid tribute to his brother’s son

The comedian said it was a “pleasure” watching him grow into someone he admired.

“He’s someone I’ve always admired, and I was so proud to call him my cousin. I still am,” he wrote.

“My brother’s family has devoted their lives to public service by working as first responders.

“This tragedy reminds us of the risks these jobs entail, and the immense courage of those who choose to stick their necks out every day to make us feel safe.

“I wish I had the chance to say goodbye.

‘Max, thank you very much mate. I love you.’

More to come