Two firefighting pilots have miraculously walked away with only minor injuries after surviving Australia‘s first Boeing 737 crash.
The large water bomber was battling blazes in the Fitzgerald River National Park in Western Australia‘s south-west when it came down in dense terrain on Monday afternoon.
A smaller firefighter aircraft nearby managed to dump water and retardant on the flames below.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said it is “nothing short of miraculous” that the pilots were able to walk away from the plane.
“We’re very grateful that they are healthy and well,” Dawson said.
“It is a truly remarkable outcome and it’s probably testaments to their skill as pilots.”
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The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) will investigate.
Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said it was “remarkable” those involved survived.
“We are very fortunate to be standing here and not mourning the deaths of some firefighters,” Mitchell said.
He said he hoped to have investigators at the site on Wednesday.
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