Two pilots die after two helicopters crash near Mount Anderson Station in WA’s Kimberley region

Two pilots have died after their helicopters collided while taking off at a cattle station in the remote Kimberley.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash near Mt Anderson Station in Camballin, 120km south of Derby.

WA Police and emergency services from the WA Country Health Service were called to the crash about 6.20am on Thursday, with early indications suggesting two cattle mustering helicopters collided shortly after take-off.

Each chopper only had the pilot aboard. Both pilots — a 29-year-old man and a 30-year-old man — were killed.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified and will conduct an investigation. WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

An ATSB spokesman said it was investigating the mid-air collision of two Robinson helicopters.

“As reported to the ATSB, at about 6.30am four helicopters were departing to conduct mustering near Mount Anderson Station when, shortly after take-off, two of the helicopters collided,” he said.

“The ATSB is deploying a team of transport safety investigators from its Canberra and Brisbane offices, with expertise in aircraft operations and maintenance, to the site.”

The investigators will examine the wreckage and conduct site mapping, and will recover any relevant components for further investigation at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.

The spokesman said investigators will also interview witness and collect relevant recorded data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information.

A preliminary report is expected to be released in two months detailing factual information with a final report released at the conclusion of the investigation.

Relevant parties will be notified immediately if a critical safety issue is identified.

Mt Anderson Station is an Indigenous-owned cattle station run by the Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company.

Shire of Derby/West Kimberley president Peter McCumstie said his condolences went out to the families impacted.

“It is an awful tragedy and highlights the dangers of helicopter mustering,” he said.

“Two young people have lost their lives and this will have significant impacts on the pastoral community. Our hearts go out to the families.”

Minister Paul Papalia said the deaths of the two cattle musterers was “horribly sad”.

“It is a terrible tragedy that has occurred from something (mustering) that happens on a daily basis in the north of Australia and the north of Western Australia,” he said.

“It’s horribly sad. I’m particularly sensitive to the fact that a number of people, including our first responders, would have had to confront that challenging situation.

“I’m thinking about them and the families of these two guys.”