Tributes are flowing for the pilot killed alongside three passengers in a horrific collision between two Sea World tour helicopters on the Gold Coast in entrance of a whole lot of holidaymakers.
Ash Jenkinson, 40, was the chief pilot for Sea World Helicopters which runs the excursions from the favored theme park and was behind the controls of 1 plane which nosedived right into a sandbar on the Broadwater about 2pm Monday afternoon.
Three extra passengers are combating for his or her lives, and a number of others have been left injured after the mid-air collision – although the second plane managed to regain management and land upright with these on board all surviving.
Mr Jenkinson leaves behind a spouse and members of his shut household in addition to a whole lot of pals who knew the favored Gold Coast native as ‘Jenko’.
Pal Ritchie Gregg referred to as him a ‘legend’ and recounted when he lent his prize helicopter to assist the victims of the 2022 floods.
“This may at all times be the spotlight of my life and simply considered one of your legacies after we helped flood folks. Cheers,” Mr Gregg wrote to Fb.
Video from the helipad reveals a holidaymaker and his younger son watching the helicopter raise after which inside seconds cross into the trail of the second plane – with the kid asking: ‘Is he going to crash?’.
Witnesses rushed to the crash scene – simply metres from the closely crowded theme park and marina – and frantically referred to as emergency companies earlier than pulling out these contained in the wreckage.
Queensland Ambulance have confirmed 4 folks died, three are combating for all times, and one other 4 had been rushed to hospital.
Ash Jenkinson (pictured) was behind the controls of the helicopter which nosedived into the sandbar
Three persons are feared useless after two helicopters collided in mid-air close to the Sea World on the Gold Coast theme park as horrified holidaymakers watched on
Photographs confirmed a minimum of one of many two choppers was a Sea World helicopter tour plane
Paramedics and police on the scene on Monday afternoon (pictured)
Witnesses informed Every day Mail Australia one of many helicopters was coming in to land when it clipped the rotor of the opposite plane that was taking off.
Emma Burch, one other witness, had the identical account of how the accident unfolded.
‘From what we noticed one was taking off, the opposite touchdown. They clipped one another,’ she stated.
‘Huge bang heard proper via the Broadwater vacationer park then the swooshing because the one which misplaced management hit the water and broke aside.
‘It is simply terrible. Everyone seems to be in shock.’
One of many helicopters crashed into the sandbar, leaving wreckage throughout the shore with the primary rotor embedded within the sand a long way from the remainder of the wreck.
4 onboard died, together with the pilot, whereas one other three, a girl and two younger boys, are in important situation.
The opposite helicopter managed to land on the sandbar close by, with six folks on board, a few of whom suffered non-life threatening accidents.
The 2 helicopters concerned within the collision might be seen on the sandbank – with crashing into the sand and the opposite touchdown upright
Marine Rescue raced to the sandbar, seen in entrance of 1 helicopter with a Sea World brand
A younger youngster was transported from the crash web site by boat after which transferred to the RACQ Lifeflight helicopter and rushed to hospital in a critical situation
Lifeguards and law enforcement officials on board considered one of a number of vessels that raced to the scene
Queensland Ambulance stated there have been 13 sufferers in complete, six in a single helicopter and 7 within the different.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Southport Responsibility captain Matt Fitzpatrick stated three models had been dispatched to the scene.
‘There are a number of helicopters concerned and we have no idea the state of those that had been aboard,’ he stated.
Photographs confirmed a minimum of one of many two choppers – the one which landed with out crashing – was a Sea World helicopter tour plane.
The corporate issued an announcement hours after the crash.
‘Sea World Helicopters (SWH) has expressed its shock and deepest sympathy for these concerned within the Sea World helicopter accident on the Gold Coast, Broadwater at Southport this afternoon,’ a spokesperson for Sea World Helicopters stated.
‘We and the complete flying neighborhood are devastated by what has occurred and our honest condolences go to all these concerned and particularly the family members and household of the deceased.
‘We’re cooperating with all of the authorities together with the Australian Transport Security Bureau (ATSB) and the Queensland Police. As it’s now a police investigation we can’t present any additional data at this stage.’
Paramedics transported one affected person to a ready helicopter to be airlifted to hospital
The entrance of the Sea World helicopter that remained nonetheless upright sustained heavy harm
It’s understood the helicopter taking off clipped one other helicopter above after which nosedived into the sand
Witnesses expressed their shock on the mid-air collision.
‘I heard a bang and noticed smoke billowing from one of many choppers. It was smoking and wobbling to the bottom,’ one witness informed Every day Mail Australia.
‘One particular person was asking whether or not it was a part of the Sea World present.’
A distraught lady and youngster had been seen on the helipad whereas a part of the theme park was shut down so patrons could not look out on the crash web site.
Others stated watching the accident unfold was ‘past horrible’.
‘My daughter noticed them. Individuals on each. Landed on the sand not in SeaWorld thank goodness. Simply praying for all,’ one stated.
‘We heard a loud noise and noticed bits of particles flying,’ one other wrote on-line.
Gold Coast resident Tor Kumpel was swimming within the broadwater along with his spouse when he witnessed the collision simply after one helicopter took off.
‘It was just one helicopter that crashed. The one which was arising. It was horrific to see,’ he informed The Courier Mail.
‘The (pilot) who was within the different one which landed. They deserve a medal. It took a bit to regular however they did it.’
Blue Mountains resident Amii McDermot, 42, was in line at Sea World’s Vortex trip when she noticed the crash unfold.
‘There was particles in every single place, the tail fell off considered one of them and the helicopter nosedived into the bottom at full-speed.’
She stated her two youthful kids do not realise what they noticed however her older two are fairly shaken up.
Investigators are racing to gather proof earlier than excessive tide covers the sandbar
Officers scour the sand for items of particles that would help the investigation into the trigger
The Australian Transport Security Bureau stated it has already commenced an investigation into the collision.
‘Transport security investigators with expertise in helicopter operations, upkeep and survivability engineering are deploying from the ATSB’s Brisbane and Canberra workplaces and are anticipated to start arriving on the accident web site from Monday afternoon,’ ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell stated.
‘Through the proof gathering part of the investigation, ATSB investigators will look at the wreckage and map the accident web site.’
‘Investigators can even recuperate any related parts for additional examination on the ATSB’s technical amenities in Canberra, collect any out there recorded information for evaluation, and interview witnesses and different concerned events.
The ATSB is asking for witnesses of the crash to contact them instantly.
Emergency companies rushed to the wreckage hoping to search out survivors, however grave fears are held for all these on board
