QLD: Delay likely for plane crash body removal

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2001
QLD: Delay likely for plane crash body removal

Rescuers say it may take several days before four bodies are removed from a plane crash
in far north Queensland due to rough terrain and bad weather.

The plane -- a twin engine Aero Commander 500 -- crashed on Tuesday morning near the
top of Thornton Peak.

Killed were the pilot, 44, of Cairns, and three Telstra workers from Townsville and Lucinda.

The charter plane was taking the Telstra technicians to Hicks Island near the tip of
Cape York Peninsula for maintenance work on a communications facility.

The wreckage of the plane was found late yesterday in thick rainforest near the top
of Thornton Peak in Cape Tribulation national park.

Rescuers spent the night at the crash site and had hoped to fly in a disaster victims
identification unit today.

But a Queensland Rescue Service spokesman says the weather conditions may cause a delay
of several days before the bodies can be removed.

AAP RTV geb/jtb

KEYWORD: PLANE (BRISBANE)

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