Three US residents have died in a firefighting aircraft crash in Australia, authorities have said.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) said the experienced and "well known" crew had been contracted to Australia to help fight the bushfires this season.
"Our hearts are with all those that are suffering what is the loss of three remarkable, well respected crew that have invested so many decades of their life into firefighting," said NSWRFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.
The Hercules C-130 water-bombing aircraft had been leased from North American firm Coulson Aviation as part of seasonal arrangement.
