1 week Ago By Sarah Keszler
Twenty-one years since three men were killed in a helicopter disaster near a Queensland holiday island, those impacted are still left struggling with immense grief — but no answers about what happened. On October 17, 2003 a CQ Rescue helicopter enroute to Hamilton Island to assist in a routine medical evacuation about 9.35pm suddenly went down, crashing into the sea 3km east of Cape Hillsborough, near Mackay.
Pilot Andy Carpenter, paramedic Craig Liddington and crewman Stewart Eva — all aged 31 — were killed. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “Today marks 21 years since the devastating helicopter crash that changed our community forever,” a CQ Rescue spokesperson said in an emotional tribute on Thursday. “No mayday call was received and, despite a thorough investigation, the cause of the crash remains a mystery.
” The Bell 407 helicopter came to rest 6.5m underwater, with investigators confirming the aircraft had plummeted from the sky without warning less than 15 minutes into the flight. No distress call was received from the crew, and the cause of the crash has never been determined.
However, investigations into the crash did note possible improvements leading to a safety overhaul of rescue aircraft in the years since the disaster. “Though the loss brought immense grief, it led to improvements in aeromedical safety, including the introduction of twin-engine Instrument Flight Rules machines,” the spokesperson said. “CQ Rescue returned to the skies just over a week after the crash and, today, we continue to fly in their memory, ready to answer the call for help.
” Each year, CQ Rescue organises a memorial walk to Turtle Point Lookout at Cape Hillsborough where crew, staff, board members and family lay wreaths at the memorial plaque honouring the crash victims. Amid an outpouring of online tributes to mark the 21st anniversary, one person said one of the fallen rescue crew members “had transported me to Mackay hospital with a snake bite just three months before”, saving his life. “Was devastated when I heard it had gone down.
Will never forget. RIP fellas,” he wrote. “RIP guys.
Thank you for your service to the community,” another person said. “Forever 31 ..
. Always loved and never forgotten, my brothers,” someone else added..
