ABC's 'saddest of days' after crash

The ABC confirmed it had a news crew flying in a helicopter in that region at the time of the crash. Photo / Thinkstock

Staff at the ABC are bracing themselves for "the saddest of days'', as they wait to hear the fate of three members of a news team feared dead in a helicopter crash in South Australia.

Pilot Gary Ticehurst, reporter Paul Lockyer and cameraman John Bean are missing and presumed dead in the Lake Eyre region.

ABC managing director Mark Scott said he received a call from ABC staff about 8.15pm AEST on Thursday (10:15 NZT), informing him that a helicopter had gone down and that the broadcaster's helicopter was in the region.

He said staff then assembled a team to try to get information.

"A rescue chopper was dispatched, but they only got on the ground at 2am,'' Mr Scott told ABC Radio on Friday morning.

"Then word came back to us that they would really need to wait for daylight.

"But they were anticipating no survivors and I think they have now said that some bodies have been found at the scene.''

Police have confirmed, however, that two people are dead.

"As a result of an initial search, police have located two deceased persons in the wreckage,'' Inspector Glen Sickerdick said in a statement on Friday.

A search is under way for the third person believed to have been in the helicopter. A police investigation has also commenced, Insp Sickerdick said.

"It's been the longest of nights and we think it will be the saddest of days here at the ABC,'' Mr Scott said.

- AAP