Mystery man's death confounds community

16th September 2008

ROCKHAMPTON'S flying community was mystified last night by an announcement that a helicopter pilot killed in a crash in a Western Australian beauty spot was from the city.

Police named the pilot, who perished along with his three passengers on a sight-seeing flight over the Bungle Bungles, as Christian Cartargiu.

An official police statement said the chopper pilot was 40 and from Rockhampton.

But no-one at Rockhampton Aero Club, Air Capricorn or the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service recognised the name.

The Morning Bulletin was able to establish that Mr Cartargiu had earned his pilot's licence in 2002 at Becker Helicopters on the Sunshine Coast.

One staff member remembered him as Christi and said he was a Dutch national with an Australian wife who had previously worked as a professional dancer.

But she could shed no light on a Rockhampton connection.

"Christi had a passion for flying and in the last couple of months he had been back in touch with us to inquire about training to be an instructor. He was planning to return to Queensland to do that."

Mr Cartargiu's helicopter exploded killing all occupants and sparked a bushfire that raged throughout Sunday night.

He had been flying 19-year-old Jessica May Cousins and 20-year-olds Whitney Michelle Pinney and Sarah Louise Thomas, all from Kununurra near Kimberley over the Purnululu National Park.

Mr Cartargiu had recently appeared in a performance of Wizard of Oz with the Kununurra Theatre Group.

If you knew the pilot, or have any information about his possible links to Rockhampton, please call 4930 4312.