Police divers have located human remains in the search for five people who died when a helicopter crashed into the ocean off Anna Bay earlier in September.
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It is understood divers found and were able to retrieve some debris near Birubi Point on Sunday, and were working this week to confirm it belonged to the helicopter that went missing on September 6.
"Over the past week, the search and recovery efforts have been focused on an area near Birubi Point," NSW Police said in a statement on Thursday.
"A large area was searched with numerous amount of debris located. Then late yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, September 25) police divers were able to locate and retrieve some debris from the aircraft and human remains, about 30 metres below the surface."
It is understood the human remains that have been found have not been identified.
A pilot and four passengers were aboard the Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopter when it disappeared from the Williamtown air traffic control radar at 6.49pm on September 6.
Queensland men Jamie Ogden and Grant Kuhnemann, married Sydney couple Jocelyn Villanueva and Gregory Miller, and the chopper's pilot and owner David Kerr - also a Queensland man - died in the crash.
Police have been searching for the wreck and missing people since the crash, but have been hampered at times by wild wind and ocean conditions.
Parts of the helicopter wreckage - the tail rotor and airframe - were spotted by emergency crews about 8km south of Fingal Bay two days after the tragedy, but they sunk before being collected.
Police said the multi-agency search operation involving Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and NSW Marine Rescue has been supported by the Australian Defence Force.
Royal Australian Navy Coastal Minehunter vessel HMAS Huon provided underwater search and reconnaissance assistance as part of the search, which helped to locate and identify the debris.
Detectives from Marine Area Command are continuing to investigate the helicopter crash alongside the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Police are continuing their appeal for anyone who saw the crash to contact them through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Air Transport Safety Bureau is also asking anyone who saw the helicopter over Anna Bay to phone 1800 992 986.
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