UPDATE: Australian Plane Crash; Specialist Divers Join in Rescue Mission For Air Crew
Specialist divers are joining rescue personnel today to search for air crew onboard the Australian Army helicopter that crashed into waters near Hamilton Island in Queensland.
Multiple agencies are involved in the search, including police.
Debris from the MRH90 Taipan was hauled from the water off Lindeman Island.
Reports say the crew are all from Sydney and based at the Holsworthy Barracks.
Talisman Sabre Exercise Director Brigadier Damian Hill spoke to reporters on Saturday afternoon in Brisbane and confirmed four people were on-board the aircraft when it went into the ocean.
Officials said two MRH-90 Taipan helicopters were flying in formation about 11pm on Friday, but when the crew of one of those aircraft realised something had gone wrong with the other aircraft, they began the search operation immediately.
The crash occurred during the Talisman Sabre military exercises, some of which are taking place off the coast of North Queensland.
The US is part of the military operation, as well as several other nations, which involves more than 30,000 personnel.
As soon as the search got underway, the next of kin and family of the four personnel were informed.
Condolence messages have continued to pour in.
Source: 9NEWS.