‘Tragic, unnecessary': Missed chance before plane crash
A phone call minutes before a deadly firefighting crash was a missed opportunity to save the lives of those on board during the preventable tragedy, an investigation has found.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell released a report on Thursday into the crash of the twin-engine Gulfstream 695A aircraft near Mount Isa, in the Queensland outback.
'This was a tragic and entirely preventable and unnecessary accident that took three precious lives,' he said.
'The dangers of aircraft owners and pilots engaging in practices that deliberately circumvent critical safety defences cannot be underestimated.'
The aircraft was conducting aerial fire surveillance operations for bushfires in the state's north-west on November 4, 2024.
There were radio communication issues with the pilot indicating a lack of oxygen in the body, a condition known as hypoxia, before the plane crashed near Cloncurry.
A pilot and two camera operators, including 22-year-old American William Jennings, were on board the plane.
It was operated by AGAIR, a Victoria-based firm that specialises in aerial firefighting.
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West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Son of war hero, Jack Wong Sue, in search of rightful home for WWII prisoner of war ring
For 80 years it lay anonymously among dusty World War II memorabilia belonging to celebrated Australian soldier Jack Wong Sue. Now, an international search is under way to find the rightful home of the silver ring Sue gently slipped off the finger of a dead Allied serviceman in 1945. Sue and his comrades from the Z Special Unit, a precursor to the SAS and Commando regiments, had stumbled upon the cannibalised corpse of the prisoner of war while on patrol in Borneo late in the war. He pocketed the tarnished ring, bringing it home to Perth when Japan surrendered and he was discharged from service. Sue's son Barry is determined to find the family of the ring's owner so he can return it to them. It would be a needle-in-a-haystack mission were it not for two clues — inscriptions on the band and a small piece of dog-eared cloth. The words 'Iraq' and 'Egypt' are engraved on the ring, which Mr Sue believes could refer to theatres of war in which the soldier fought before being captured by the Japanese in South-East Asia. The cloth, which the POW appears to have wrapped around the band to wedge it onto his emaciated finger, could hold DNA. 'This is something I feel I need to do,' Mr Sue told The West Australian this week. 'It is something Dad would have wanted.' Jack Wong Sue was one of seven Australian special forces soldiers who were secreted into Japanese-occupied Borneo by an American submarine in March 1945. Surrounded by enemy troops, the Z Special commandos teamed up with local headhunting tribes to wreak havoc on the 3000 Japanese who were retreating across the island. Acting Sergeant Sue was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery during the guerilla campaign, which often focused on trailing Allied soldiers on the infamous Sandakan death march. The body from which the ring was retrieved was on that notorious jungle track and Mr Sue believes his father referenced the incident in his memoir, Blood On Borneo. 'Spread-eagled, each hand and foot was tied to a stake driven into the ground,' Mr Sue, who died in 2009, wrote. 'The lifeless face stared vacantly into the fading sunlight. He was only young and no older than his beholder. 'The tissue-thin covering of skin was taut all over the bone structure and the emaciated chest accentuated every rib. 'The open flesh of the buttock bore testimony to the cannibalism of his Japanese captors; they had made a crude attempt to take a slice of rump from the body.' The ring was not mentioned in the passage, but conversations with his father left Mr Sue believing the POW described may have been the owner. Historians from the Australian War Memorial who examined the ring this week believe that if the engraving refers to countries the soldier served in then it is unlikely the owner was Australian. Tens of thousands of Diggers were dispatched to Egypt after 1939 but no Australian units fought in Iraq, leading the memorial to believe the owner was British. The Imperial War Museum in London is now set to comb its records to match a soldier with the ring. Initial research shows British tank and artillery regiments served in Iraq and Egypt. The search will focus on who of those soldiers were transferred to the Pacific theatre of war and subsequently taken prisoner.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
‘Why?': Public transport commuters baffled by common act
A seemingly simple act on public transport has left Melbourne commuters puzzled, sparking a debate online about why many choose to stand rather than sit on a tram, even when plenty of seats are available. A user posted a photo on Reddit of an empty tram seat, surrounded by standing passengers, with the caption: 'People who prefer to stand than take a free seat on public transport, why?' The original poster elaborated: 'Hear me out, I know people like to stand up and be ready to go, but when the tram is clearly full and people are struggling to get on, what's the reason for not sitting? 'Even when the tram isn't full, why not sit while in a moving vehicle?' They also mentioned witnessing a woman 'smash her head' on the tram floor after falling backwards from a sudden stop. 'She was bleeding, and at her age, lucky to be alive,' they said. 'Maybe we are all complacent until we see someone bleeding'. Reasons for standing The post quickly went viral, attracting hundreds of comments from Melburnians offering various reasons for their preference to stand. Many said it helps avoid getting trapped as the tram fills up and makes it easier to hop off at busy stops. 'I've always thought people stand to avoid getting stuck and unable to get off,' said one commenter, with another adding, 'Agree, especially if it's a short stop and you're getting on before a rush of people'. Others said it was sometimes 'awkward' to navigate crowded aisles to reach a seat, so they just don't bother. And for some, standing was just a welcome break from sitting at a desk all day. 'I sit down in my office all day, so I prefer to stand,' said one, while another echoed: 'I sit enough'. Seat size plays a role The size of public transport seats was another point raised. 'I'm a 6'1 man and the seats are made for tiny munchkin people,' said one. 'Even if I'm lucky and the person across from me has short legs, we'll still knock knees. So I have to sit with my feet crammed under the seat if I don't want to play footsie,' complained a fed-up commuter. 'There is no socially appropriate way to sit in those seats,' chimed in someone else. 'Either your feet block the aisle or you're knee to crotch with someone else'. 'There's no such thing as personal space in those seats,' agreed a third. Meanwhile, some people said for them, it was more about hygiene. 'Hear me out … people are gross,' said one. 'I've seen enough disgusting hygiene on public transport to know I want to be nowhere near those seats'. Others just didn't want to ruin their nice clothes by sitting down on a potentially dirty seat. And some felt sitting for just a few stops wasn't worth it. 'I'm often not going far,' said one commuter. 'If I sit down, I'll probably just have to get up for someone who needs it more,' added another. A different person mentioned they didn't see the issue with standing in the first place, as it's not physically taxing. Safety considerations contacted Transport for Victoria for a comment, who directed us to their safety page. It states: 'Because our trams often share roads with other traffic, unexpected stops can occur. Always sit whenever possible and hold on to a pole, handle or strap if you're standing'. The transport authority also advises commuters to adopt a 'feet apart, strong stance' when standing to prevent falling over.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Hunter foster carers celebrate $1b state funding, but still a way to go
A Hunter foster carer has welcomed the government's historic funding to child protection, but said there was still more work to be done. The state has announced a $1.2 billion funding boost for vulnerable kids, carers and caseworkers as part of this year's budget. More than $49 million will go towards upgrading or building 44 government-owned care homes, including in the Hunter, as well as a 20 per cent rise in foster carers' allowance. One Maitland-based foster carer, who has been looking after kids and teens for seven years in emergency care, short-term and long-term care, and restoration, said the funding would help. "It's an incredibly hard role but incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said. "To have it recognised that we are hopefully breaking that cycle of generational trauma and making a difference in these children's futures, is just really lovely." She had cared for 35 children, and hoped the new funding meant carers would have more money to support children in extracurricular activities, such as swimming lessons or gymnastics. "Carers were paying above and beyond the carer allowance because we don't do it for the money," the carer said. "Our caring role doesn't end when they turn 18 or 21; we've had a couple of teenagers age out, and I'm still in contact with them." The $191.5 million funding to recruit new caseworkers and maintain existing ones was also welcomed. "They are who we go to when we need something, and when there's a big turnover of carers and caseworkers, that ultimately impacts on the children," the carer said. Despite the significant funding, there was so much more that could be done to truly make a difference, the carer said. She said foster care was a last resort for children, and that more funds for programs that supported vulnerable children before and after they had been restored to their families were needed. As an emergency carer, she would also like to see resources available for things that were not child-specific. As an example, she pointed to funding to boost safety and other aspects of a home. The Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said the Hunter would get its "fair share" of the system's reforms. Ms Washington said the divide of the 44 new or repurposed care homes throughout the state would be based on need, but some would be in the Hunter. "A child who went through the experience of being holed up in hotels and motels described it to me as being like a doggy in a pound being moved from cage to cage," she said. "We will be reforming the system to ensure that they get the safety, stability and the future they deserve." Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, thanked the minister for the funding package and the "recognition of a system in crisis." "What it represents is a great relief for our members on the front line that are dealing with these crises every day," he said. "Now it gives them the confidence that the system they represent is going to be better than it previously was." A Hunter foster carer has welcomed the government's historic funding to child protection, but said there was still more work to be done. The state has announced a $1.2 billion funding boost for vulnerable kids, carers and caseworkers as part of this year's budget. More than $49 million will go towards upgrading or building 44 government-owned care homes, including in the Hunter, as well as a 20 per cent rise in foster carers' allowance. One Maitland-based foster carer, who has been looking after kids and teens for seven years in emergency care, short-term and long-term care, and restoration, said the funding would help. "It's an incredibly hard role but incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said. "To have it recognised that we are hopefully breaking that cycle of generational trauma and making a difference in these children's futures, is just really lovely." She had cared for 35 children, and hoped the new funding meant carers would have more money to support children in extracurricular activities, such as swimming lessons or gymnastics. "Carers were paying above and beyond the carer allowance because we don't do it for the money," the carer said. "Our caring role doesn't end when they turn 18 or 21; we've had a couple of teenagers age out, and I'm still in contact with them." The $191.5 million funding to recruit new caseworkers and maintain existing ones was also welcomed. "They are who we go to when we need something, and when there's a big turnover of carers and caseworkers, that ultimately impacts on the children," the carer said. Despite the significant funding, there was so much more that could be done to truly make a difference, the carer said. She said foster care was a last resort for children, and that more funds for programs that supported vulnerable children before and after they had been restored to their families were needed. As an emergency carer, she would also like to see resources available for things that were not child-specific. As an example, she pointed to funding to boost safety and other aspects of a home. The Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said the Hunter would get its "fair share" of the system's reforms. Ms Washington said the divide of the 44 new or repurposed care homes throughout the state would be based on need, but some would be in the Hunter. "A child who went through the experience of being holed up in hotels and motels described it to me as being like a doggy in a pound being moved from cage to cage," she said. "We will be reforming the system to ensure that they get the safety, stability and the future they deserve." Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, thanked the minister for the funding package and the "recognition of a system in crisis." "What it represents is a great relief for our members on the front line that are dealing with these crises every day," he said. "Now it gives them the confidence that the system they represent is going to be better than it previously was." A Hunter foster carer has welcomed the government's historic funding to child protection, but said there was still more work to be done. The state has announced a $1.2 billion funding boost for vulnerable kids, carers and caseworkers as part of this year's budget. More than $49 million will go towards upgrading or building 44 government-owned care homes, including in the Hunter, as well as a 20 per cent rise in foster carers' allowance. One Maitland-based foster carer, who has been looking after kids and teens for seven years in emergency care, short-term and long-term care, and restoration, said the funding would help. "It's an incredibly hard role but incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said. "To have it recognised that we are hopefully breaking that cycle of generational trauma and making a difference in these children's futures, is just really lovely." She had cared for 35 children, and hoped the new funding meant carers would have more money to support children in extracurricular activities, such as swimming lessons or gymnastics. "Carers were paying above and beyond the carer allowance because we don't do it for the money," the carer said. "Our caring role doesn't end when they turn 18 or 21; we've had a couple of teenagers age out, and I'm still in contact with them." The $191.5 million funding to recruit new caseworkers and maintain existing ones was also welcomed. "They are who we go to when we need something, and when there's a big turnover of carers and caseworkers, that ultimately impacts on the children," the carer said. Despite the significant funding, there was so much more that could be done to truly make a difference, the carer said. She said foster care was a last resort for children, and that more funds for programs that supported vulnerable children before and after they had been restored to their families were needed. As an emergency carer, she would also like to see resources available for things that were not child-specific. As an example, she pointed to funding to boost safety and other aspects of a home. The Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said the Hunter would get its "fair share" of the system's reforms. Ms Washington said the divide of the 44 new or repurposed care homes throughout the state would be based on need, but some would be in the Hunter. "A child who went through the experience of being holed up in hotels and motels described it to me as being like a doggy in a pound being moved from cage to cage," she said. "We will be reforming the system to ensure that they get the safety, stability and the future they deserve." Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, thanked the minister for the funding package and the "recognition of a system in crisis." "What it represents is a great relief for our members on the front line that are dealing with these crises every day," he said. "Now it gives them the confidence that the system they represent is going to be better than it previously was." A Hunter foster carer has welcomed the government's historic funding to child protection, but said there was still more work to be done. The state has announced a $1.2 billion funding boost for vulnerable kids, carers and caseworkers as part of this year's budget. More than $49 million will go towards upgrading or building 44 government-owned care homes, including in the Hunter, as well as a 20 per cent rise in foster carers' allowance. One Maitland-based foster carer, who has been looking after kids and teens for seven years in emergency care, short-term and long-term care, and restoration, said the funding would help. "It's an incredibly hard role but incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said. "To have it recognised that we are hopefully breaking that cycle of generational trauma and making a difference in these children's futures, is just really lovely." She had cared for 35 children, and hoped the new funding meant carers would have more money to support children in extracurricular activities, such as swimming lessons or gymnastics. "Carers were paying above and beyond the carer allowance because we don't do it for the money," the carer said. "Our caring role doesn't end when they turn 18 or 21; we've had a couple of teenagers age out, and I'm still in contact with them." The $191.5 million funding to recruit new caseworkers and maintain existing ones was also welcomed. "They are who we go to when we need something, and when there's a big turnover of carers and caseworkers, that ultimately impacts on the children," the carer said. Despite the significant funding, there was so much more that could be done to truly make a difference, the carer said. She said foster care was a last resort for children, and that more funds for programs that supported vulnerable children before and after they had been restored to their families were needed. As an emergency carer, she would also like to see resources available for things that were not child-specific. As an example, she pointed to funding to boost safety and other aspects of a home. The Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said the Hunter would get its "fair share" of the system's reforms. Ms Washington said the divide of the 44 new or repurposed care homes throughout the state would be based on need, but some would be in the Hunter. "A child who went through the experience of being holed up in hotels and motels described it to me as being like a doggy in a pound being moved from cage to cage," she said. "We will be reforming the system to ensure that they get the safety, stability and the future they deserve." Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, thanked the minister for the funding package and the "recognition of a system in crisis." "What it represents is a great relief for our members on the front line that are dealing with these crises every day," he said. "Now it gives them the confidence that the system they represent is going to be better than it previously was."
