Witnesses speak out
HUNDREDS WATCHED IN HORROR AS THE AIRCRAFTS COLLIDED
Laura Moran was just metres away when she saw two aircrafts collide in a fatal crash. “The noise was … I have never heard anything like it,” she recalled to the Today show. “It wasn’t a bang, it was like a whoosh that was almost like metal hitting metal.
‘The noise was … I have never heard
anything like it’
“It sort of sent this wave through the parklands and the entire parklands went silent. Everyone just sort of looked up in shock.”
It’s a moment she and countless others will remember forever.
On January 2, two Sea World helicopters collided mid-flight at Main Beach on the Gold Coast.
The crash occurred 200 to 300 metres in the air at around 2pm and claimed the lives of Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, 40, British newlyweds Ron, 65, and Diane Hughes, 57, and NSW mum Vanessa Tadros, 36.
At press time three passengers remained in a critical condition: Vanessa’s 10-year-old son Nicholas, as well as Geelong woman Winnie de Silva, 33, and her son, Leon, 9. Tourists from New Zealand – couples Edward and Marle Swart, and Elmarie and Riaan Steenberg – escaped with minor injuries.
Video footage shows one helicopter taking off as the other approaches the landing pad. One Sea World visitor “heard a loud noise and saw bits of debris flying”.
Following the impact, one helicopter managed to land while the other crashed onto a sandbar.
Mrs de Silva’s husband, Neil, told the Herald Sun he was in disbelief when he saw the helicopters crash.
“I could see the other helicopter that was due to land … it looked like they were going to crash into one another,” he said.
“As it got closer, I was thinking, ‘this is crazy, this looks really bad’ and I just went numb.”
The Swarts and Steenbergs, who were in the helicopter piloted by Michael James, released an emotional statement following the crash.
“On behalf of our families, we are completely devastated by the horrific helicopter accident that occurred on 2nd January,” said the statement by the couples, who shared their “deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the injured and the deceased and their families.”
“To our pilot, who, through all the chaos, landed the helicopter safely, keeping us and other bystanders safe.
“You are our hero. Thank you so very much.”
It has since been revealed that the company behind the helicopters involved in the tragedy has been at the centre of two other investigations involving serious injuries.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Queensland police have commenced an investigation into the fatal collision.