TAS: Antarctic helicopter victims to be brought to Hobart

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-1999
TAS: Antarctic helicopter victims to be brought to Hobart

The bodies of three French expeditioners who were killed in an Antarctic helicopter crash
will be brought to Hobart next week.

They were killed early this week while flying from the supply ship L'Astrolabe to the
French Antarctic base at Dumont D'Urville.

Honorary French consul in Hobart BILL AYLIFFE says he has only sketchy details of the
tragedy, but understands there was an explosion during the short flight to the base.

The pilot, the chief mechanic and a third person were killed.

The L'Astrolabe, which is based in Hobart, is due back with the bodies next Wednesday or
Thursday.

Mr AYLIFFE says a service will be held on the ship after it docks before the bodies are
flown back to France.

AAP RTV dw/nd

KEYWORD: ASTROLABE (HOBART)

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