Three dead after air tanker battling bushfires in Australia crashes

Three people have tragically died after an air tanker fighting the continually damaging bushfires in Australia crashed into a fireball on January 22.

Shortly before 13:30, officials lost all contact with the plane and as of yet, the reasoning behind the crash is unknown. The three that died were all American residents.

According to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, the plane crashed straight into an active fire zone around two hours south of Canberra, the capital of Australia.

“The field reports are that the plane came down, it’s crashed and there was a large fireball associated with that crash,” said Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.

As of yet, the three crew members haven’t been identified, but the last flight data that was made available showed that the plane crashed near Cooma.

Senior figures have offered their condolences, including Scott Morrison – the Prime Minister of Australia – and the New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian.

“Today, again demonstrates the fire season is far from over,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Fires in southern Australia are expected to peak in February and continue into April.

According to Fitzsimmons, the crew were both experienced and well known and were contracted by Australia in order to help combat the bushfires that have been arguably the worst in the country’s history.

“Our hearts are with all those that are suffering what is the loss of three remarkable, well respected crew that have invested so many decades of their life into firefighting,” he said.