‘I Wish I Had the Chance to Say Goodbye’: Jim Jefferies Mourns Loss of Nephew Who Died in Tragic Chopper Crash

During a training exercise last Friday, comedian Jim Jefferies’ nephew was among the Australian military personnel that perished in a helicopter accident.

“I remember the day Max was born,” Jim Jefferies wrote on the confirmation on Monday of his nephew Lieutenant Max Nugent’s death. “He was my brother and sister-in-law’s first child and the first grandchild on both sides of his family.”

“He couldn’t have been more loved and welcomed into this world. We had high hopes for Max, and he didn’t disappoint,” Jefferies continued. He gave condolences to the families of the three other servicemen that died in the chopper crash on Friday as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Talisman Sabre’s 30,000 personnel comprise members of the US defense forces and over a dozen other participating nations. “Significant wreckage” was found in the search for the men.

“He led his life with honor and respect and was just a great bloke,” Jefferies wrote further in the tribute. “He’s someone I always admired, and I was so proud to call him my nephew. I still am.”

The star highlighted how the tragedy reminds one of the risks taken by first responders “who bravely stick their necks out every day” for the public to feel safe. “I wish I had the chance to say goodbye,” the actor said in conclusion. “Max, thank you so much, mate. I love you. RIP. “

Jefferies is on his “Give ’em what they want” comedy tour, which began in Reno, Nevada, on June 23. The next show is in Hartford, Connecticut, on August 26.

Jim Jefferies became an American citizen in 2018, which he chronicled in the season two finale of “The Jim Jefferies Show.” He listed RuPaul, lobster rolls, and “relentless” reruns of Jerry Seinfeld‘s “Seinfeld” as some of the things the country gave him.