The identities of three US Marines who tragically lost their lives in a fiery helicopter crash during a military exercise in Australia have been disclosed. The incident involving the MV-22B Osprey occurred on a remote island north of Darwin last Sunday.

Captain Eleanor LeBeau, aged 29, Corporal Spencer Collart, aged 21, and Major Tobin Lewis, aged 37, sadly lost their lives, while the 20 other individuals on board - all US Marines - sustained injuries.

The cause of the crash remains the subject of ongoing investigation. The Marine Rotational Force Darwin's commanding officer expressed deep sorrow over the loss of these esteemed and cherished marines in a statement on Tuesday.

Captain LeBeau, hailing from Illinois, was piloting the Osprey and had five years of Marine service. Corporal Collart, originally from Virginia, enlisted in 2020.

Major Lewis, from Colorado, possessed extensive leadership experience in the Marines spanning over 15 years, and held the position of executive officer aboard the aircraft.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and with all involved," Colonel Brendan Sullivan said, adding that his team remained focused on ongoing recovery and investigative efforts.

The aircraft had been participating in Predators Run, a training exercise involving 2,500 troops from the US, Australia, the Philippines, East Timor, and Indonesia, when it crashed on Melville Island.

Soon after, air traffic control was heard discussing a "significant fire" at the site, according to audio obtained by local media.

All 20 marines who survived the crash were taken to hospital. One remains in a critical condition, and another two are in hospital but stable.

The incident is the second fatal helicopter crash during joint exercises in northern Australia in less than a month.

On 29 July four Australian soldiers died after their 45 MRH-90 Taipan crashed off the coast of Queensland while participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre, the largest bilateral military training exercise between Australia and the US.

The latest incident is one of several recent crashes involving an Osprey - a helicopter and turbo-prop plane hybrid.

Four marines were killed in a crash in Norway last year, and three others died in 2017 when their aircraft clipped the back of a transport ship off northern Australia.

Oh, what a tragedy and loss, condolence to the families.

Condolences to the victims family

Condolences to the victims' family

Sad