Two pilots who were killed when their helicopters collided on a cattle station in The Kimberley have been identified.
Peter Ritter, 29, and Gavin U’Ren, 30, lost their lives shortly after their helicopters took off from Mount Anderson Station, 260km east of Broome, about 6.20am on Thursday.
The men worked for Broome helicopter company Pearl Coast Helicopters, which specialises in aerial stock mustering throughout The Kimberley.
Pearl Coast Helicopters issued a statement on social media saying it was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two valued and highly experienced pilots.
“The accident is devastating and we express our condolences to the family and friends of the pilots involved, as well as our team, who are profoundly impacted by this loss,” the statement said.
“Ensuring the safety of our employees and clients is always our top priority and we are actively working with authorities in their investigation of this incident.
“Our primary focus is to understand what has occurred and provide support to the families, friends and colleagues of the pilots.”
WA Police Superintendent Steven Thomas told reporters that police received a report about 6.20am on Thursday that two cattle mustering helicopters had collided and crashed to the ground.
“Unfortunately, and very sadly, both pilots of the aircraft lost their lives,” he said.
Emergency services rushed to the remote cattle station located in Camballin from Kimberley towns Derby, Looma and Broome, including forensic and drone officers, along with another specialised forensic team from Perth.
Superintendent Thomas said the investigation would be conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and police would compile a report for the coroner.
“This is a tragic incident that has happened, everyone deserves to go to work and come home safe and sound. Unfortunately, two young men aged 29 and 30 years old have lost their lives,” he said.
“On behalf of the WA Police Force, I would like to express my condolences to the families, friends and loved ones and to the colleagues of those persons who have lost their lives today.
“I can only imagine the pain and suffering they must be going through.”
Superintendent Thomas commended the actions of people who were first on the scene, including two other mustering pilots and members of the public who travelled 45 minutes to the crash site.
“It is a complex investigation made more complex by the location,” he said.
“My understanding is that there were four mustering helicopters, two were involved in this incident and there were two others nearby.”