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A celebrated cameraman who worked on shows such as MasterChef has been revealed as one of the people feared dead in a horrific mid-air collision in Port Phillip Bay.
James Rose was on-board the jet that plummeted into the waters off the Mornington Peninsula on Sunday afternoon.
It is understood he was filming for a new TV show when the jet he was in collided with another.
The two ex-military fighter jets collided mid-air approximately 12km off the coast, with Mr Rose’s jet plunging 20 metres into the water while the second plane managed to return to Essendon Airport while raising the alarm.
Mr Rose’s family were present at the Mount Martha Life Saving Club to hear news from the search and rescue mission being conducted nearby, the Herald Sun reports.
The two Viper S-211 Marchetti fighter Jets collided mid-air at about 1:40pm.
Harrowing audio captured the moment one pilot issued a mayday call in the aftermath of the collision.
“Viper 1 … mayday, mayday, mayday,” the pilot of the surviving jet radioed in.
“I am anticipating Viper 2 in the water … we can see a splash mark,” he said after being asked about the crash.
A huge search and rescue mission continues on Monday morning for the two people on the downed plane.
A plane tyre and another part of the wreckage has been found in the bay.
The planes are believed to be operated by Jetworks Aviation, which runs 45-minute joy flights for a $7750 price tag.
Simulating a military fighter jet experience, the experience promises ‘only one wing span separating the aircraft’ while flying.
“After you both kit up and take the obligatory photos (while you looking fresh faced), you will experience your combat leaders brief to prepare for the upcoming sortie,” the company’s website reads.
“You and your wingman will simultaneously depart Essendon Airport as a close formation pair.
“The two aircraft will perform some air show style formation aerobatic manoeuvres before separating into the dynamic combat formation. After crisscrossing over the bay in a modern dogfight, the two aircraft will return in formation passing close to Melbourne’s beautiful skyline.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will investigate the mid-air crash, gathering evidence from interviews, aircraft maintenance logs, recorded data, pilot information and documentation.
“The two-seat, civilian-operated ex-military jet trainer aircraft were reported to be conducting a formation flight over the bay,” an ATSB statement read.
“After the collision one of the aircraft is reported to have lost control and subsequently impacted the water, while the second recovered to Essendon Airport.”
More to come.
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