HMAS Tobruk Remembers Sea King Helicopter Crash

Personnel on board the Australian Navy’s HMAS Tobruk have paused from humanitarian relief efforts in Vanuatu to mark the 10th anniversary of the Navy Sea King helicopter crash.

The Sea King crashed on the island of Nias, Indonesia, on 2 April 2005 and claimed the lives of nine ADF personnel.

The helicopter, callsign “Shark 02″ from 817 Squadron at HMAS Albatross, was undertaking humanitarian assistance after an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra claimed hundreds of lives. The earthquake occurred in March 2005, several months after the devastating Boxing Day tsunami.

The Sea King crash claimed the lives of six Navy and three Air Force personnel – Lieutenant Matthew Davey, Lieutenant Matthew Goodall, Lieutenant Paul Kimlin, Lieutenant Jonathan King, Petty Officer Stephen Slattery, Leading Seaman Scott Bennet, Squadron Leader Paul McCarthy, Flight Lieutenant Lynne Rowbottom and Sergeant Wendy Jones.

Image: Australian Navy