Three American firefighters died when a Large Air Tanker crashed while fighting a bushfire in southern NSW.

Earlier this afternoon, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said it had "lost contact" with a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, used in water bombing operations, in the Snowy Monaro area.

Firefighters, emergency services and military personnel launched a search and rescue and located the wreckage.

However, RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said all the crew members were "tragically" killed.

"[The aircraft] impacted heavily with the ground and initial reports are that there was a large fireball associated with the impact of the plane as it hit the ground," he said.

Commissioner Fitzsimmons said there was no indication on what caused the accident, but is working with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to determine what happened.

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was contracted through American aerial firefighting company, Coulson Aviation (USA).

R.I.P. and our saddest thoughts to the families left behind.

Are they still not getting paid.

"They"?
Whomstd've are we talking about?

My condolences to all the people who have a big bush and it is on fire.

:( :( :( A nitpick: I always wonder why they add that word(tragically) to such sentences....as if people would be happy when people die.....to me it is already implied when mentioning when people die in such ways. Well at least it'd have been instant, if nothing else good about it. I agree and my condolences and prayers go out to them as well.....I always respected firefighters very much and I am grateful for their service.

=================================================Probably firefighters...many volunteer.

I think most should get paid, due to the important/good work they do.

(As for the rest, not gonna reply here as political & it's disallowed here per the rules...my quicktopics and PM are always open, though)