Police have located debris from a helicopter which crashed off the Port Stephens coast almost three weeks ago.
Police were advised of an aircraft fading off the radar about 6.30pm on Friday 6 September 2019, before a search operation was commenced in the vicinity of Anna Bay.
It has since been confirmed that five persons were on board the aircraft at the time.
A multi-agency search operation has been conducted with officers from NSW Police Marine Area Command, Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Australian Defence Force, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and NSW Marine Rescue.
Defence provided support through a Royal Australian Navy Coastal Minehunter vessel, HMAS Huon. This vessel provided underwater search and reconnaissance assistance to locate and identify the debris.
Over the past week, the search and recovery efforts have been focused on an area near Birubi Point.
A large area was searched with numerous amount of debris located.
Then late yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 25 September 2019), police divers were able to locate and retrieve some debris from the aircraft and human remains, about 30 metres below the surface.
Detectives from Marine Area Command are continuing investigations working closely with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.
