Two people closely associated with the Australian beef industry community have died this week in tragic, unrelated accidents.

Experienced ABC television cameraman, John Bean, husband of ABC Landline reporter Pip Courtney, died in a helicopter accident near Lake Eyre late yesterday afternoon.

The accident also claimed the lives of award-winning ABC reporter Paul Lockyer and ABC’s chief pilot based in Sydney, Gary Ticehurst.

John Bean was a regular contributor to the production of ABC’s weekly Landline program, and was praised by Landline’s executive producer Peter Lewis for his skills and commitment in providing much of the program’s creative visual content.

He often worked collaboratively on assignments with his wife, Pip, a popular and highly regarded contributor to the fabric of the Australian beef industry.

In an unrelated accident on Wednesday, the livestock transport industry has been left mourning the loss of a truck driver who died after an incident loading cattle at the Longreach saleyards.

Queensland Police Media said the 44 year old was transported by ambulance to the Longreach hospital on Wednesday afternoon but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver was a long-term employee of Frasers Livestock Transport at Warwick and is survived by a partner and three teenage children.

His name has not yet been released.

A spokesman for Frasers Transport said the driver was a well-respected member of the team and the company and community was shocked by his loss. 

Beef Central extends its sympathies to the families and friends of both men, on behalf of the Australian beef industry community.