Pilot and Beloved Dog Presumed Dead After Chopper Vanishes Near Port Stephens

A distressing turn of events has unfolded as it appears the missing chopper pilot, Edwin Kraft, may have accidentally plunged his helicopter into the ocean while maneuvering to avoid severe weather conditions near Port Stephens. The pilot had been operating solely on visual cues before the aircraft vanished, as reported by the Newcastle News.

Kraft, accompanied by his cherished companion, Roxy, was en route from Cessnock, NSW, with the destination set for either Wallis Island near Forster or Belmore River close to Kempsey. With the pilot failing to reach the intended location, an extensive search operation by land and sea was promptly initiated.