The households of 4 Australian Defence Force members who’re feared useless after a chopper crashed into the ocean close to Hamilton Island have shared touching tributes to their family members.
Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Corporal Alexander Naggs, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Phillip Laycock are presumed useless after a coaching mission as a part of the Exercise Talisman Sabre went terribly fallacious on Friday evening.
Parts of the plane – a MRH-90 chopper – have been recovered from the ocean close to Hamilton Island, however the 4 males on board are nonetheless but to be discovered.
Their households have now spoken out, sharing their heartache those that have been misplaced.
Captain Danniel Lyon has been remembered as a “beloved husband, devoted father of two and great mate”.
The adorned pilot’s smile “could brighten even the darkest days”, his household wrote in an announcement.
“His light shone so brightly we cannot imagine a world without it.”
In one other assertion, members of the family of Lieutenant Maxwell (Max) Nugent stated being an officer within the Army was one in all his long-held goals.
“He made that dream a reality through stubborn grit, resilience and a wicked sense of humour,” his household shared in an announcement.
“Our Max fitted so much living into his 24 years.
“He got to live his dream. He loved flying, and Army life was everything he hoped it would be.”
Much like his teammates, Corporal Alexander Naggs has additionally been described as a beloved accomplice, son, brother and buddy, who was hardworking, beneficiant and sort.
“Alex was an inspiration to his family and those around him,” his household stated in an announcement.
“We are heartbroken to lose him so soon.
“We offer our thoughts to the families of Alex’s crew mates at this time.”
The mother and father of Joseph Phillip Laycock (Phillip) shared their deep disappointment at shedding their beloved son, who had “two main loves in life” – the army and his kids.
“Outside of his Army career, Phillip was a devoted father and enthusiastic mountain biker,” his mother and father Joseph and Dianne Laycock shared.
“He was an excellent cook, and prepared the family’s Christmas dinner on a number of occasions, with the same meticulous precision he brought to his work – he would shoo us out of the kitchen if we threatened to interfere.”
The beloved son and brother additionally leaves behind three sons, aged between seven and 11, who share their father’s love for the outside.
“We have been left devastated by the loss of our son and extend our most heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones of Phillip’s crewmates.”
The army helicopter, often called a Taipan, had been engaged in a two-helicopter mission when it crashed at about 10.30pm on Friday.
The second chopper instantly started a search and rescue operation.
Defence minister Richard Marles addressed media on Saturday morning, confirming the 4 aircrew had been but to be discovered.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
