Search called off for three US Marines missing in crash
THE search-and-rescue operation for three US marines missing after a military air crash off the central Queensland coast has turned into a recovery effort.
According to American news channel NBC, the MV-22 Osprey had been on its final approach to the USS Green Bay off Shoalwater Bay when the crash occurred about 4pm on Saturday, sending 21 passengers and five crew members into the water with the aircraft.
All but three Marines had been found.
Vessels and aircraft from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a strike group from the USS Bonhomme Richard responded immediately and were involved in the recovery operation.
The US Marine Corps said in a statement yesterday the search had been suspended at 3am, and efforts had turned to the recovery operation.
The victims’ next of kin had been informed.
Yeppoon Coastguard radio officer Arthur Hunt said the search yesterday was about 30 kilometres offshore, in a water depth of about 50m.
He said it was conducted between Cape Manifold and Cape Clinton.
The biennial Talisman Sabre joint US and Australian military training exercise recently concluded in the area.
The strange-looking MV-22 Osprey, resembling a cross between a helicopter and aeroplane, can take off vertically and travel much faster than a helicopter.
It had taken off from the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship, and was on regularly scheduled operations when it hit the water in what the US military described as a “mishap”.
US President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident.