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a tragedy...

salt lake

 

The ABC is preparing itself for confirmation that it has lost three veteran newsmen in a helicopter crash in remote South Australia.

Journalist Paul Lockyer, pilot Gary Ticehurst, and cameraman John Bean are believed to have been killed when their chopper crashed near Lake Eyre yesterday evening.

The experienced news crew had been working on news and feature projects in the Lake Eyre region and it is believed their Sydney-based helicopter went down in a remote area about 150 kilometres north-west of Marree at about 7:30pm.

Two bodies have been found in the wreckage and police are searching for a third. Police have told the ABC they do not expect to find any survivors, but say the names of those who have died may not be officially released until later in the day.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-18/abc-helicopter-crashes-at-lake-eyre/2845962

 

Between salt and sky, there is beauty and tragedy... May these fine men be remembered. Vale...

of heroes and lake eyre

lake eyre

Lake Eyre

abc chopper

Gary Ticehurst was one of the heroes of sailors' rescue during the tragic Sydney to Hobart yacht race, 1998...


the ABC family and Australian TV are in mourning...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-19/tributes-for-three-of-abc27s-finest/2846408

our thoughts are with their families as well.

raise a glass of red...

Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries rang out through a Sydney park today as mourners paid affectionate tribute to larger-than-life ABC chopper pilot Gary Ticehurst

The service was held at Rushcutters Bay Park, in Sydney's east, next door to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

Ticehurst died on August 18, along with journalist Paul Lockyer and cameraman John Bean, when the ABC helicopter crashed near Lake Eyre in South Australia's outback.

The service's location was fitting, given the veteran pilot was well known for his work each year covering the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

He played a significant role during the tragic 1998 race, helping to rescue 14 crew members from the stricken yacht Business Post Naiad.

Mark Richards, the skipper of multiple line honours winning yacht Wild Oats XI, was among those who spoke affectionately of Ticehurst.

"I've often referred to Gary as our guardian angel. That's exactly what he was for thousands of sailors in the Sydney to Hobart," Mr Richards said.

"He was one of those guys that you just liked from the very first moment you met him.

"We're going to miss that beautiful man in the sky."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-30/gary-ticehurst-memorial/2862206

condolences to the ABC

ABC newsroom stalwart dies suddenly

01 September 2011. 01:08:11 (EST)

ABC News has suffered another loss, with the sudden death of long-serving Sydney chief of staff Bernie Keenan.