At least three Marines killed in air crash in Australia during training exercise

A United States Marine Corps (USMC) V-22 Osprey aircraft crashed Sunday in Australia during a military training exercise. The aircraft was transporting approximately 23 Marines. As a result of the collision, at least three of the Marines were killed and 20 others were injured.

According to USMC sources, the accident occurred on Melville Island, north of Australia. Of the 23 people aboard the V-22 Osprey, five were taken in serious condition to Darwin for urgent medical attention.

The victims had to be rescued by helicopter and other aircrafts following the accident. Along with the military, the Australian authorities in Darwin and Melville assisted in the rescue operation ensuring that the Marines were taken to safety.

According to AP sources, the accident only involved U.S. troops. The Marines were taking part in Exercise Predators Run, which the USCM conducts alongside Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and East Timor in the Pacific.

The aircraft involved in the accident is a Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey. It is a "tiltrotor" military aircraft. That tilt allows the Osprey to take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The USCM is the main operator of this aircraft within the United States Armed Forces.

Since the V-22 Osprey was introduced into the Armed Forces in 2007, the model has been involved in a total of eight air accidents resulting in a total of 16 deaths not including this last incident.