Chopper pilot’s fateful last kiss
THE widow of Sea World helicopter crash pilot Ash Jenkinson has revealed their heartbreaking last words to each other during a packed funeral service for the beloved pilot.
Mourners wearing formal black attire gathered on the Gold Coast to farewell Mr Jenkinson, who was killed in last week’s Sea World chopper crash.
Hundreds crammed the Southport Church of Christ on Friday to say their final goodbyes to Mr Jenkinson, who died in the disaster alongside British tourists Ron and Diane Hughes and Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros.
Mr Jenkinson, 40, who was
chief pilot with Sea World Helicopters, left behind his partner, Kosha RichardsonJohnson, and toddler son Kayden.
In a heartbreaking eulogy read to mourners, Ms Richardson-Johnson said: “We’re here today to celebrate the love of my life and the man I hoped to grow old with.
“When we met it was like the world stood still.”
Ms Richardson-Johnson said Mr Jenkinson was “always a true gentleman” who would cook her dinner and bring her flowers during their courtship, and became “best friends” with her dog Doug. A psychic had told her before they met: “All I can see is a helicopter and a man who flies in it and he’s going to love you forever.”
She said Ash had promised her the “perfect home” and “worked tirelessly” to provide it. The birth of their son Kayden was “the highlight of his life” and he was a hands-on dad who happily changed nappies and did night feeds.
“Days with his family made his heart feel full,” she said. In a heartbreaking twist, she revealed their last trip was to Bunnings, where she kissed him goodbye “like it was the last day – every day, just in case it was”.
The last thing they said to each other was: “I love you.”
“My heart is broken with the loss of my present and future with this man – the man who made me laugh, cry, smile secretly and plan a future as a wife and mother,” she said.
In a heart-wrenching moment, Kayden came up on stage with a dummy in his mouth as the eulogies began and was scooped up by Mr Jenkinson’s brother Blaze.