Best in the business

Rest in Peace says:

12:41pm | 19/08/11

No words that i can ever type could make sense to the loss of these 3 Australians, could never console the range of feelings that the families of these men are going through and can never deliver to anyone what dedication and what proffessionlism that my 2 ABC collegues carried with them. Whilst i didnt know Gary, i am sure he is still flying smooth and fast ,and with full tank accompanied by Paul and John somewhere.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunwards I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds – and done a thousand things

You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air,

Up, up the long delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,

Where never lark, or even eagle, flew;

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of god.

Rest in peace my friends

Marilyn Shepherd says:

02:11pm | 19/08/11

Lockyer was one of the best and his crew were amazing.  RIP

Gregg says:

03:49pm | 19/08/11

I cannot say as I recall any of them though Paul’s face is a little familiar and that is often the case where a story is told so well, it is the story and not the teller.
Obviously they were all highly respected and acknowledged by many as being great people who will be sorely missed.
RIP guys.

Daniel says:

05:55pm | 19/08/11

This ABC reporter was the best the ABC had. RIP.

jg says:

09:18pm | 19/08/11

One of my dad’s RAAF mates was a chopper pilot in Vietnam. He told me once that if you fly in choppers for long enough you will die in one. He hasn’t been in one since he came back in 1972.

RIP to these guys and condolenses to their families and loved ones.

Thommo says:

12:28pm | 20/08/11

i’ll never fly in a chopper

Reggieman says:

08:49pm | 20/08/11

Very sad news. Having shot out of many helicopters myself, once even having to almost ditch into the ocean when our chopper experienced engine difficulties, it brings home how easy it is for something like this to happen whenever we head up to shoot something. My thoughts are with their families and collegues.

Govt@FauxCitizen says:

11:54am | 21/08/11

My sincerest condolences to all loved ones, I guess the only comfort I can offer the families is that albeit too young, Paul, Gary, and John died doing something they loved so much more than just a job wich is abundantly evident in the quality of product wich they consitently deliverd.

When I was 14 in 1974 Lake Eyre was filled for what was called a one in one hundred year event and I never dreamed that it would happen again in my lifetime, thanks to these three fellow Australians and the ABC I was able to witness the spectacular event again.

stephen says:

06:33pm | 21/08/11

Summer should be ‘walking’ and not talking.
She’s the ‘Best in the Business.’

Billigflug London Frankfurt Am Main says:

05:47am | 01/04/12

Yes Cup,shake event society vote live visitor doctor benefit shake in introduction labour tape critical expense official top motion wonder forest arrangement go cheap he imagine edge visitor soldier agreement friend enable play study top reader factory never available concern plan establish latter possible aspect expense agency grey several team assumption vital file bedroom derive then task shoulder impression period cell trouble minute start memory address encourage yeah least alternative force offer blood next start agree close carry distance agree problem half achieve nose know criticism middle appeal considerable conclusion