Jim Jefferies' nephew among four feared dead in helicopter crash
The nephew of Australian comedian Jim Jefferies is one of the four men feared to have died after an Australian Army helicopter crashed on Friday.
The incident saw the vehicle crash into waters off the famous Whitsunday Islands. It was part of a joint military exercise as part of Operation Talisman Sabre. The crash is said to have occurred at around 10.30pm on Friday evening.
Teams were still trying to search for the missing MRH-90 Taipan on Sunday, but fears are growing that they are unlikely to have survived. It is understood that comedian Jefferies is flying back to Australia from his home in the US to be with family, according to 7News reported.
ABC named Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs as the four missing men.
Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent was named as one of the four missing men (Facebook)They were all members of the army's highly skilled 6th Aviation Richmond Unit. Jefferies' nephew is the son of senior NSW Police Force officer Daniel Nugent, who is the brother of the comedian - whose real name is Geoff James Nugent.
Following the crash, NSW Premier Chris Minns praised the family and their dedicated service to Australia. "I can only imagine what they're going through today. It's just devastating," he told Sky News.
Defence Minister Richard Marles also spoke of the incident, saying there was a "very real sense of poignancy and an anxiety" that had been linked to the rescue mission. He said: "Our thoughts are very much with the aircrew and of course their families. This accident makes very clear what this exercise means, the dangers that are involved, the risks that inevitably come with it."
Comedian Jim Jefferies is said to be flying back to Australia following the news (Getty Images)He continued in his speech to the troops participating in the Talisman Sabre drills in Townsville on Sunday: "The significance of it all, particularly given the events of Friday night, is made very plain and very clear. We owe all of you an enormous debt of gratitude."
Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, the Chief of the Australian Army, confirmed the families of the men were currently being supported by the ADF and had allowed the missing men's names to be released.
He said: "My thoughts and prayers are with their families and their mates here at the 6th Aviation Regiment as they wait for more news about their loved ones. We will continue to support their families and their mates in the coming days and weeks, months and years, no matter the outcome."
According to the Australian Army, the MRH-90 Taipan aircraft which was involved is one of the "most advanced tactical troop transport helicopters of the 21st century".
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