Grim find in search for missing chopper
Rescue services have made a troubling discovery in their desperate search for a helicopter that went missing with a man and a dog on board.
The 54-year-old man and his dog took off from Cessnock in NSW on the morning of October 26 bound for a property at either Wallis Island near Forster or Belmore River near Kempsey.
Emergency services launched an extensive land and sea search around Port Stephens after the chopper failed to arrive at either location.
NSW Police, Marine Area Command, Police Rescue, NSW SES, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NSW are all a part of the search mission.
On Friday morning, the Hunter Westpac rescue helicopter crew discovered debris washed up on Bennetts Beach at Hawks Nest, a stretch of sand immediately north of Yacaaba Headland near Port Stephens.
A police spokesman said on Friday afternoon investigators were examining the debris to determine it was from the missing chopper.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified.
