Four prominent Australian scientists, who held senior positions within the CSIRO, have been confirmed as the victims in last week’s fatal helicopter crash at Bulli Tops.
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CSIRO fellow Dr Don Price, retired head industrial physicist Gerald Haddad, former senior research scientist Dr John Dunlop and former deputy chief of operations Dr Tony Farmer all died when their helicopter clipped a tree and burst into flames last Thursday.
All four had worked together at the CSIRO site at Lindfield, on Sydney’s north shore, but were now retired.
CSIRO chief executive Dr Megan Clark broke the news to staff via email on Monday, informing them of the ‘‘private trip by four friends and former colleagues which ended tragically.’’
‘‘Tony, Gerry, Don and John were much loved and respected colleagues and friends, and I express my deepest sympathy to their families, and their spouses,’’ she wrote.
‘‘It is times like these that we all reflect on the meaning and value of the deep and caring relationships that are built in this organisation as we work supporting each other, often for many years.’’
Dr Farmer, 68, worked at CSIRO from 1973 to 2010 while Dr Haddad, 71, worked from 1982 to 2007.
Dr Price, son of former CSIRO chair Sir James Robert Price, retired in 2009 after nearly 20 years of service.
Dr Dunlop, 66, worked with CSIRO from 1976 until 2008.
The on-site investigation into last week’s fatal crash was set to wrap up on Monday.
Four Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators, who have been at the scene since last Thursday, were expected to complete their exploration of the crash scene on Monday afternoon.
An ATSB spokesperson said the investigators would lift up the wreckage of the Robinson R44 helicopter and look underneath it before starting the office-based part of their investigation.
The spokesperson said the wreckage would most likely be returned to its owner and their insurer but parts could be stored in a secure ATSB enclosure for further examination.
Investigators spent the past few days combing over the site, as well as interviewing witnesses and obtaining maintenance and pilot training records from the chopper’s operator Bankstown Helicopters.
The full investigation into last week’s crash could take up to 12 months to complete but the ATSB may release a short preliminary update this week.
Anyone with information about the accident should call the ATSB on 1800 020 616.
A report will now be prepared for the coroner.
