DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 255/10
Friday, 25 June 2010
Update on the condition of soldiers wounded in helicopter crash on
21 June 2010
Two of the seven Australian soldiers who are receiving medical treatment for wounds
received in a helicopter crash on Monday morning have now been re-assessed as
being in a serious condition.
These two soldiers were previously assessed as being in a satisfactory condition.
This re-assessment results in the condition of the seven wounded soldiers now being
listed as three remaining in a very serious condition, two now in a serious condition
and two remaining in a satisfactory condition. The civilian interpreter who was also
wounded in the accident also remains in a serious condition.
The soldiers are suffering from multiple fractures, lacerations, and crush injuries
while one soldier also has a head injury.
They are receiving excellent medical care at the US military hospital in the Landstuhl
Regional Medical Centre, Germany and remain the subject of close monitoring and
ongoing medical assessment.
Due to the protected identity status of the wounded soldiers and at the direct request
of the families for privacy, there will be no media access facilitated in Landstuhl.
An Australian Defence Force aero-medical team has commenced assessment of the
wounded soldiers’ suitability for repatriation to Australia. Due to complexity of the
wounds sustained, it will be some time before the first of the soldiers are medically
assessed as being able to travel.
A US air crash investigation team has been tasked to review the cause of the incident
which involved an ISAF helicopter crashing in northern Kandahar province with 15
personnel onboard. A specialist Australian Army air crash investigator is also
assisting with the investigation.
Three Australians and a US soldier were killed in the incident.
The three Commandoes killed in the incident have commenced their journey to
Australia.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
