Two dead in accident near Marulan

Two rescue helicopters were dispatched to the suspected crash site but were unable to reach it due to poor weather.

On Wednesday night, police set up a command post near Tallong at the entrance to Long Point walking track on Long Point Road and rescue crews began searching rugged bushland near the Shoalhaven River.

About two hours later, at 12.25am on Thursday, NSW Police Rescue officers found the helicopter wreckage and discovered the bodies of two people nearby.

The crash victims are a 36-year-old Goulburn helicopter instructor and Andrew Goldman, a 54-year-old Victorian learner pilot who had recently been elected to the Moira Shire Council.

A joint statement from Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica and chief executive officer Mark Henderson said the council was devastated to learn of Mr Goldman’s death.

“Cr Goldman was elected as a Councillor for the 2020-24 term and was looking forward to contributing to the improvement and growth of our shire,” the statement said.

“On behalf of Councillors and staff, we extend our thoughts to his family at this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.”

In a biography on the council’s website, Cr Goldman said he had lived in the Moira Shire for 48 years. He was elected to the council for the first time this year and attended his first council meeting just last week.

Cr Goldman said he had run an excavation business in the area for the past 18 years.

“The business expertise that I have gained will be able to provide and assist the council with building and planning of future infrastructure and projects, for the benefit of our community,” he said.

Cr Goldman added that he wanted to bring more business opportunities to towns in the community.

“I have a vision to offer affordable land and easy access for business development. I want to provide an incentive for new companies and businesses to thrive in the area, which will provide job opportunities and economic growth for the people of the Moira Shire.”

Fellow Moira Shire councillor Peter Lawless said the news had come as a blow.

“I’m totally in shock as is most of the community,” he said.

Cr Lawless said Cr Goldman was well-known throughout the region and was an active member of the community, sponsoring local football and netball clubs.

“Andrew had a huge influence on a lot of the community through his business. It was his commitment to the community that made him stand for council. He had considered it over time. I think it was just his generous spirit.”

Police worked throughout the night to recover the bodies of the victims, and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and NSW Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Detective Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie said it was “just too early to even hypothesise” about how the crash happened.

“It’s in a fairly remote area. It took police several hours last night to find the crash site due to the remoteness of the crash site and the terrain,” he said.

“Due to the inclement weather last night, an air search was inhibited and police from the Goulburn Rescue Squad entered the Morton National Park … on foot.

“It’s just a terrible time for the families involved and we extend our condolences to the family and friends of the pilots.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said a team of transport safety investigators with expertise in aircraft engineering, operations, maintenance and data analysis were being sent to the crash site on Thursday.

The helicopter involved was a Robinson R44 model, the bureau said. A preliminary report will take several weeks to be released.

Police will prepare a brief for the information of the coroner.