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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Graeme Murray

Dad among 5 killed in mountain helicopter crash was on 'last job', says son

A man who was among five killed in a mountain helicopter crash was on his last job, his son has said.

Passenger and meat industry entrepreneur Paul Troja, 73, died when the chartered flight crashed north of Melbourne, Australia.

Mr Troja's son revealed to 9News his father had planned to ensure his family were financially secure before focusing on his home life.

Luke Troja's said his father had been a constant force in the family.

He said: "He saw the value in everyone. People he worked with really trusted him.

"He wanted to spend more time with the family, but he wanted to do one last job to get a bit more money behind him, so he could help us out."

Paul Troja was on his "last job" before retirement (9 News)

Paul Troja was the chairman of Radfords and involved in Meat and Livestock Australia between 2003-2009.

He had four children and five grandchildren, one of whom was born days ago.

Linda Woodford, a tech entrepreneur, who was involved in ground breaking changes in the meat industry was also on board the helicopter.

The 50-year-old 's brother told 9News the family is distraught and they have "never felt emotional pain like this".

Accident investigators are now looking at the scene (9 News)

The Mirror yesterday told how police confirmed there were five people on board including the pilot but there is no news so far on survivors.

Dean Neal was at the helm the Microflite helicopter that crashed near Mountt Disappointment, north of Melbourne, killing him and his four passengers.

The 32-year-old's parents Rodney and Janeece, along with his brother Darren said they were "inexplicably shocked and distressed" about their loss.

Police helicopter probing the scene (9 News)

Two helicopters are believed to have been travelling in convoy when one of the aircraft disappeared.

Low cloud hampered the widespread search on Thursday morning which included a police helicopter and an air ambulance from the air.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) are now the crash side investigating what happened.

Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell revealed the helicopter crash was the fifth fatal accident in the country this year with nine people in total lost

Police helicopter flying near scene of the crash (9 News)

Investigators will analyse the site using a drone and using impact scarring will try to piece together how the aircraft hit the terrain the retrieve aircraft parts.

Aviation expert Paul Ron Bartsch of Avlaw aviation said the company operating the flight had a good safety record.

He added that weather was the main consideration behind the reason for the crash.

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