Helicopter crash 250km north of Meekatharra leaves 60-year-old Garry Robinson requiring surgery, family says

A man in his 60s seriously injured in a freak helicopter accident north of Meekatharra last Thursday remains in a stable condition at Royal Perth Hospital and is expected to undergo surgery this week, according to a family member. On Thursday, about 1pm, four people were involved in a helicopter crash, believed to be caused by a “willy willy” shortly after take-off. The incident occurred about 6km north of the Kumarina Roadhouse, more than 250km north of Meekatharra, when the Robinson R44 helicopter crashed. Three people were hurt, including two seriously. A family member confirmed the injured man in his 60s was Yulga Jinna Aboriginal Corporation director Garry Robinson. A woman in her 20s and Mr Robinson were flown to Newman Hospital by a BHP rescue helicopter. The other passengers did not require medical attention. Mr Robinson was flown to RPH by Royal Flying Doctor Service and is expected to undergo two surgeries on his hip and arm this week, a relative said. The crash site was near the Yulga Jinna remote community, where a group of people including traditional owners and archaeologists were researching sites in the Collier Range National Park. Witness Angus Reynolds told the ABC the helicopter was transporting some of the group, while others waited behind, when it came into contact with a “willy-willy” or mini-tornado as it crossed a gorge. Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the ATSB launched an investigation into the crash on the same day. “During initial climb, the helicopter collided with terrain resulting in substantial damage. Two passengers sustained serious injuries and one passenger sustained minor injuries,” he said. Mr Mitchell said the investigation would continue and a final report would be released when the investigation was complete.