MasterChef cameraman feared dead after two planes crash into each other mid-air

20 November 2023 , 14:01

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Masterchef cameraman James Rose

A cameraman for cooking show Masterchef is feared dead after a plane collided with another aircraft in the air in a horror crash.

James Rose, 30, is said to be one of two victims after the mid-air collision as their jet neared Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay on Sunday. Stephen Gale, an experienced pilot and owner of Jetworks Aviation is thought to be the second victim. Reports say that Rose was filming a new TV show at the time of the tragedy. Gale's company is said to own both Viper S-211 Marchetti jet planes involved.

On Monday, officials confirmed a search had resumed with a trio of helicopters from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority joining Victoria Police Air Wing choppers. A plane tyre and another part of wreckage have already been discovered in the bay. According to reports, the two aircraft, both ex-military jets, collided in mid-air around 7.4miles west of Mornington while conducting a formation flight over the bay.

Pilot Stephen Gale taught comedian Tommy Little how to fly

The jet carrying Rose plummeted into the water while the other was able to return to Essendon Airport, according to news.com.au. The pilot of the other jet, which remained airborne, raised the alarm and was heard radioing control, saying: "Viper 1 … mayday, mayday, mayday”.

Pilot Mr Gale

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confirmed it plans to launch an investigation into the crash. Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said: “The ATSB will investigate a mid-air collision between two aircraft over Port Phillip Bay on Sunday afternoon. The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed and has footage of the accident, or who has footage of the aircraft in any phase of their flights, to contact us via the witness form on our website at their earliest convenience.”

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