Three US marines killed, five in hospital, after Osprey aircraft crash on Melville Island UPDATED

Authorities have confirmed three US marines have died in an aircraft crash on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin, as recovery efforts continue.

Twenty-three personnel were on board an MV-22B Osprey when it crashed on the remote Melville Island, 60km off the coast from Darwin, ABC reports.

Five were taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious condition.

The recovery efforts are ongoing.

"Those injured are 23 US Marine Corps [personnel] and we are doing everything we can to return them safely back to Darwin for treatment," NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said. 

"Five marines have been returned to Darwin for treatment with the remaining being triaged at the scene. 

"Additional police and defence personnel have been deployed to Melville Island to support operations, triage injured people and return them to Darwin and also maintain the crash scene while investigations continue."

At least one patient is in a critical condition.

Five are currently receiving treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH).

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles described the crash as a "terrible incident".

She confirmed that RDH, the Northern Territory's largest hospital, has activated an emergency Code Brown alert to help respond to the crash.

A Code Brown alert is the highest-level emergency response that can be declared in an Australian public hospital.

"There's three operating theatres available, so we can absolutely cater for the numbers of casualties that we are already seeing coming through Royal Darwin Hospital," Ms Fyles said. 

"One patient is in Royal Darwin Hospital in theatre being operated on presently.

Ms Fyles said from initial reports, all 23 people on board were US Defence personnel with a "wide range of injuries". 

She said health teams were triaging patients at the airport and emergency services were responding with "both helicopters and airplanes".

She said the crash site on the island had been secured, and investigations were ongoing.

Commissioner Murphy said after the crash occurred, a military aircraft was deployed "almost immediately" in response and emergency services were notified.

He said the crash took place shortly before 9 a.m. about 2km inland on Melville Island.

The aircraft was one of two US Osprey that left Darwin this morning.

"This is about a mission to bring people home and get treatment to make sure they're okay," Commissioner Murphy said. 

A Defence spokesperson said the "aircraft incident" occurred during Exercise Predators Run 2023, which has since been paused.

"Initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defence personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved," they said.

"At this critical early stage, our focus is on the incident response and ensuring the safety of those involved."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the crash as a "regrettable incident".

"Our focus as a government and as the Department of Defence is very much on incident response and on making sure that every support and assistance is given at this difficult time," he said. 

Mr Albanese said the government would make a further statement later today. 

"We will provide more information when appropriate," he said. 

"We obviously want to make sure that any information that is provided is absolutely accurate, we're also very much focused on providing that practical assistance on the ground.

"We do follow protocols at a time like this and the Australian Defence Force are cooperating with our friends in the United States Defence Force to make sure that we provide every assistance possible."

More than 2,500 troops from the US, Australia, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Indonesia are currently taking part in the exercise on the Tiwi Islands.

Exercise Predators Run is the largest Australian Army-led exercise in the Northern Territory this year.

09:21

A military helicopter carrying around 20 US Marines has crashed during an exercise off the coast of Darwin.

Sky News has confirmed that around 11:00 am local time, the Osprey Helicopter crashed near Melville Island during "Predators Run" drills, which involve personnel from Australia, the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste, Sky News reports.

Sources have told Sky News it is “possible” casualties may result from the crash, as some personnel remain unaccounted for.

The Australian Defence Force has confirmed that there were no Australians on board the helicopter when it went down.

"Initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defence personnel and that the Australian Defence Force members were not involved," the ADF said in a statement.

"At this critical early stage, our focus is on the incident response and ensuring the safety of those involved. More information will be provided when appropriate."

CareFlight jets have been spotted leaving Darwin airport for the major rescue operation and Royal Darwin Hospital is gearing up to treat any people involved in the crash.

Northern Territory Police have issued a brief statement confirming that they are "currently responding to reports of an aircraft crash on Melville Island".

Sky News understands Predators run exercises will be paused following the crash.

There are roughly 2500 people involved in these exercises, with 500 from the United States, 120 from the Philippines, 120 from Indonesia and 50 from Timor Leste.

It comes a month after the MRH90 Taipan chopper crashed into the ocean off the Whitsundays with four defence personnel onboard.

The four soldiers - Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs - were killed during the July 28 night training exercise.

ADF divers have since recovered personal effects, wreckage from the helicopter and the voice and flight data recorder.