CPJ mourns death of Australian journalists

New York, August 19, 2011–The deaths of correspondent Paul Lockyer, cameraman John Bean, and pilot Gary Ticehurst of the Australian public broadcaster ABC are a tragic loss, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The three died in a helicopter crash on Thursday while filming in southern Australia.

“We are deeply saddened by the deaths of Paul Lockyer, Gary Ticehurst and John Bean on assignment in Australia,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “We join their families and colleagues in mourning their loss and hope the cause of the crash will be clarified.”