SEAWORLD HELICOPTER TRAGEDY SAVED BY HIS MUM
The Kiwis relive the horror that’s changed a young boy’s life
When the news came through that 10-year-old Nicholas Tadros was on the mend after fears he would not survive his shocking injuries from the Sea World helicopter crash that tragically took the life of his 36-year-old mum Vanessa, it was hailed a miracle.
According to a close family friend, Nicholas, who was taken off life support two weeks ago, is already chatting with dad Simon from his hospital bed at Queensland’s Children’s Hospital, indicating he hasn’t sustained any serious brain injuries from the accident on 2 January.
“Our little champ is fighting the good fight and keeps improving,” family priest Father Suresh Kumar announced last week. “Simon is able to talk to him and Nicholas responds very clearly.”
But despite the good news, there are real fears he could still lose a leg.
“Doctors have been trying to save his right leg, which is shattered very badly,” Father Kumar explains. “We have to keep praying that his leg is not amputated.”
The lovable youngster and his devoted mum, described by Simon as God’s “most beautiful rose”, were enjoying a dream joy flight when the helicopter they were in collided with another Sea World chopper, killing Vanessa instantly. It’s now thought her quick instincts likely saved her boy.
“His mum Vanessa might have grabbed his head and protected him at the impact,” says Father Kumar. “She is a hero – may Vanessa’s soul rest in peace.”
LAST-MINUTE RIDE
New Zealanders Edward and Marle Swart, and Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg were on a trip of a lifetime when they left their holiday accommodation on Queensland’s Gold Coast and headed to the popular theme park Sea World for a day out.
Speaking for the first time on Australian television since surviving the deadly crash that killed four people, it can now be revealed the fun-loving foursome only decided to jump on board the ill-fated chopper at the last minute.
Sustaining horrific injuries both physically and emotionally, for Aucklandbased real estate agent Elmarie, it was one frightening image that will haunt her forever.
“I saw the helicopter underneath me and knew that we were in serious trouble,” she says through tears.
Thinking she was going to die, Elmarie recalls the sheer terror of knowing that she might never get to hold her precious baby grandson Eli ever again.
“I honestly thought, ‘This is it’, because I still remember seeing Eli’s face,” she says. “I thought, my kids will not be seeing me again – that was hard.”
Knowing they are the lucky ones, Elmarie feels deeply heartbroken for those who lost their lives and
their grieving families.
She reflects, “It’s so sad, and you’ve got mixed emotions and it’s just acknowledging those people that sadly passed away that day – it could have been so different.”
HEROIC EFFORTS
Now back in Auckland, both couples – originally from South Africa – will never forget the locals who came to their help.
In an earlier statement, the group paid tribute to the unsung Aussie heroes from that fateful day.
“We do not have many of their names and might never have, but their care and heroism changed our lives.
“Our pilot, Michael James, you are our hero. The holidaymakers who brought us hats, towels and water, and chairs – this was just normal mateship, local heroes just trying to help.”
And now, as the group continues to heal, Edward believes it’s a miracle they all survived.
While Michael, 52, survived, the other pilot, Ash Jenkinson, 40, and British newlyweds Diane, 57, and Ron Hughes, 65, died in the crash. Winnie De Silva, 33, and her nine-year-old son Leon, from Geelong, were badly injured and are recovering.
“The whole scene was devastating – you can’t describe it. It’s by the grace of God that we are all alive today – it really is.”
‘I saw the helicopter... and knew we were in serious trouble’