Police divers are on their way to Port Stephens to continue the search for five people believed to have died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Anna Bay on Friday night.
Forecast rough seas meant divers had not initially planned to head back into the water at the crash site today. but easing conditions meant the search will likely now resume.
The Newcastle Herald understands police divers will conduct a risk assessment when they arrive at Anna Bay on Wednesday and enter the water if conditions are determined to be safe.
Queensland men Jamie Ogden and Grant Kuhnemann, married Sydney couple Jocelyn Villanueva and Gregory Miller, and the chopper's pilot and owner Queensland man David Kerr have not been found since the helicopter disappeared from the Williamtown air traffic control radar at 6.49pm on Friday.
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- Chopper search continues in heavy seas
- Water police searching for debris from ill-fated helicopter off Anna Bay
- Rough seas hamper operation to retrieve sunken helicopter from Port Stephens coast
The Air Transport Safety Bureau is investigating how the Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopter, which departed from Brisbane and stopped to refuel at Coffs Harbour before the crash, ran into trouble.
The bureau expects to complete a report on its investigation in the second quarter of next year.
Meanwhile, police are continuing their call for witnesses and want to talk to anyone who may have been in the Anna Bay or Fishermans Beach area between 5pm and 7 pm on Friday who may have filmed the helicopter or taken images of it.
Police are urging witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
