New Zealand victims of Sea World helicopter crash release blood-soaked pictures of the scene

The New Zealand tourists who survived the Sea World helicopter tragedy have released dramatic photos from the scene of the crash and hospital. WARNING: Graphic

Dramatic new photos have emerged from the Sea World helicopter crash, showing survivors covered in shrapnel wounds and holding hands in shock.

The photos have been released by the family of New Zealand tourists Elmarie Steenberg and Marle Swart, who survived the crash along with their husbands Riaan Steenberg and Edward Swart, as they prepare to return home to Auckland.

Everything we know about the chopper crash

Marle Swart and Elmarie Steenberg grip each other’s hands after landing. Picture: Supplied

The crash last Monday claimed the lives of Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ash Jenkinson, British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes and Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros.

Mrs Tadros’s 10-year-old son Nicholas, Victorian tourist Winnie de Silva and her son Leon, 9, were critically injured and remain in hospital.

Emergency services and bystanders help the victims out of the chopper at the scene.

The pictures released by the Steenberg and Swart families show Elmarie and Marle bloodied and shocked in the helicopter which pilot Michael James managed to land on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater after a mid-air collision with another chopper being flown by Mr Jenkinson.

A blood-soaked victim of the tragedy receives treatment at the scene.

The photos also show the two women recovering in Gold Coast University Hospital before their release late last week.

Elmarie Steenberg and Marle Swart recover at Robina Hospital.

A set of blood-soaked thongs in the sand at the scene of the crash at the Broadwater.

In a statement, the families said they did not release footage from inside the chopper to Channel 7, saying it had been given to Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators.

“We do not know how they (Seven) obtained it, but it was only provided to investigators as part of their inquiries at the crash scene and after,” they said.

“This was intentionally kept out of the public domain out of respect for all the individuals affected by this tragic accident and is extremely traumatising.”

The New Zealand families are getting ready to return home after being released from hospital.

The families said the airing of the footage had caused distress.

They said they wanted to express their “deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the injured, deceased, and their families”.

“ Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss. This has been traumatic for us as survivors, and we cannot imagine the terrible sadness their families and loved ones must be feeling,” they said.

“We continue to pray for Nicholas, Leon and Winnie as they are still in hospital with severe injuries and are mourning the loss of Ash Jenkinson and the other passengers who lost their lives.”

The families wanted to thank “hero” pilot Michael James and everyone who helped them through their rescue and recovery.

They said they wanted to thank “our hero”, Michael James, bystanders who rushed to help including a jet skier who helped them out of the chopper and an off-duty paramedic and Robina Hospital staff.

The families said the reality of the last crash and its aftermath was now sinking in “and is a heavy weight to carry.”

Elmarie Steenberg at Robina Hospital.

“The level of support and care we have received from strangers has, however, touched us deeply. Elmarie and Marle have sustained significant injuries and, at present, are feeling the weight of the recovery journey ahead of them,” they said.

“We are willing and able to continue to assist the ATSB and Queensland police with their investigation as needed.

“As we return home to New Zealand, we feel eternally grateful to have been spared and thank God for every day we can spend with our loved ones.

“We will share more when we are ready; however, as we are coming to grips with what has happened and the resultant impact on our lives, we ask that our need for privacy be respected at this time.”

Originally published as New Zealand victims of Sea World helicopter crash release blood-soaked pictures of the scene