Two Brits are among four killed in mid-air helicopter crash near Sea World on Australia’s Gold Coast
Two Britons are reported to be among four people killed after two helicopters crashed while in the air near Sea World on Australia’s Gold Coast.
The aircraft were flying above a sandbank when they collided with each other moments after take off earlier today.
The incident, which happened in front of hundreds of horrified tourists, caused one of the helicopters to crash upside down, killing the pilot and three passengers.
Three other passengers on board, believed to be a woman and two children, have been rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Members of the air ambulance air lifted a child to hospital following the crash on Monday afternoon
Wreckage of two helicopters that crashed near Sea World on Australia’s Gold Coast on Monday
The pilot of the other helicopter was able to perform a controlled landing, despite the injuries to those onboard after the cockpit was smashed in by the collision.
The incident took place on Monday afternoon at the Sea World resort, which offers joy flights to people wanting an aerial view of the coast.
Video footage from the moments before the crash shows the two helicopters converging on each other, with horrified witnesses shouting ‘no!’ upon realising they will collide.
One family described seeing ‘the pilot and two elderly people in the front, a lady and a little boy next to her in the back, and another person next to them’ get on board the aircraft.
Daily Mail Australia reports that the pilot who died was Ash Jenkinson, 40, the chief pilot of Sea World Helicopters.
A police officer looks at the damaged cockpit of one of the helicopters following the fatal mid-air crash
The Foreign Office has said that two of those who have lost their lives are British nationals and it is supporting their families.
An FCDO spokesperson told the Mirror: ‘We are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities.’
More to follow…
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