CSIRO rocked by helicopter deaths - Sydney Morning Herald

Fire and rescue workers arrive at the scene of a fatal helicopter crash at Bulli Tops. Photo: Andy Zakeli

Long-serving scientists who had held senior positions within the CSIRO were the four victims of a fatal helicopter crash just north of Wollongong last week.

Former deputy chief of operations at CSIRO Dr Tony Farmer, retired head industrial physicist Dr Gerry Haddad, CSIRO fellow Dr Don Price and former senior research scientist Dr John Dunlop all died in the crash at Bulli Tops at 12pm last Thursday.

The helicopter went down in a grassed clearing outside the Panorama House restaurant and function centre.

CSIRO chief executive Dr Megan Clark on Monday sent an email to staff informing them of the ‘‘private trip by four friends and former colleagues which ended tragically’’.

‘‘Tony, Gerry, Don and John were much loved and respected colleagues and friends, and I express my deepest sympathy to their families, and their spouses,’’ she wrote.

‘‘It is times like these that we all reflect on the meaning and value of the deep and caring relationships that are built in this organisation as we work supporting each other, often for many years.’’

All four had worked together at the CSIRO site at Lindfield on Sydney’s north shore but were now retired.

The Robinson R44 light helicopter had taken off from Bankstown airport but clipped a tree while landing, crashing into a grassy area near the restaurant before bursting into flames and killing everyone aboard.

When the first rescue workers arrived at the scene, they witnessed restaurant staff trying to fight a ‘‘significant and volatile’’ blaze with fire extinguishers, Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Steven Baker said.

‘‘Local workers had attempted to extinguish the fire and [the fire crews] then proceeded to extinguish the fire with foam,’’ he said.

Mr Baker commended the Panorama House staff for their bravery.

‘‘I think it's a very brave action that they have put their own lives at risk in an attempt to save others,’’ he said.

Police on Monday said that the crash scene was still being examined by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and will be cleared by Tuesday.