Three U.S. firefighters die in ‘devastating’ plane crash battling Australia wildfires
Three U.S. firefighters were killed Thursday in a plane crash battling wildfires in Australia, according to New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday afternoon the three firefighters were from his home state.
“Jennifer (Newsom) and I are heartbroken to learn of the air tanker crash in Australia that claimed the lives of three heroic American firefighters,” Newsom said in a statement obtained by KGET-TV. “We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the crew, their friends and loved ones, and our own CAL FIRE family who worked, fought fires, and trained with the crew of Tanker 134.
Oregon-based Coulson Aviation said the aircraft departed Richmond in New South Wales with a load of retardant for a firebombing mission. Australia lost contract with the air tanker prior to the crash, Coulson Aviation said. The cause of the crash is not known.
“The accident is reported to be extensive and we are deeply saddened to confirm there were 3 fatalities,” Coulson Aviation said in a media release.
Berejiklian tweeted Thursday that flags will be flown at half mast in New South Wales out of respect for the American firefighters.
“Heartbreaking & devastating news that three U.S. residents who were crew members operating a LAT (Large Air Tanker) in the Snowy Mountains region have lost their lives,” she wrote on Twitter. “Our thoughts & heartfelt condolences are with their families & the tight knit firefighting community.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, also sent his “deepest condolences.”
An emergency call from a witness obtained by Nine News said the plane was on fire before it crashed.
“Crashed. Yeah, fire comms. It’s just a ball of flames. Over,” the witness said.
The identities of the American firefighters killed in the crash have not been disclosed. They are among around 200 U.S. firefighters who have been deployed in the last two months to battle the wildfires in Australia, according to The Telegraph.
Initial reports from the crash indicate there “was a large fireball associated with the impact of the plane as it hit the ground,” Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said in a press briefing. The aircraft was known was Zeus, Fitzsimmons said.
“The firefighting fraternity is a tight-knit family, and the crew on board were well known, not just to their colleagues here in Australia,” he said, according to Nine News.
At least 31 people have been killed in the fires since September, the Associated Press reported.
Hundreds of people sent their condolences on social media to Coulson Aviation, including an Australian man who said he could not express how sad the news made him.
“These heroes came to our country to help fight these devastating fires, and they have paid the ultimate price,” Peter Henry Lawson wrote. “As a former member of the Australian Air Force, I love the sight of seeing these Hercules in fire fighting mode, and have a massive amount of admiration for the folks flying them. This just breaks my heart.”
This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 10:29 AM.