Hero chopper pilot leaves hospital as three remain, one critical
Hero chopper pilot Michael James has left hospital after Monday’s horrific mid-air crash leaving three people in hospital.
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Hero chopper pilot Michael James has left hospital after Monday’s horrific mid-air crash on the Gold Coast, leaving three people including two children still in care.
Nicholas Tadros, 10, remains in a critical condition in the Gold Coast University Hospital still unaware his mother Vanessa died in the tragedy.
Leon de Silva, 9, is listed as stable in the Queensland Children’s Hospital after awaking from a coma yesterday and giving a thumbs up to his injured mother Winnie, in a video call.
Ms de Silva is also stable at the Gold Coast University Hospital after suffering multiple fractures in the crash.
Mr James who was hailed a hero after managing to land his helicopter following the collision, was released from hospital late Thursday along with two of his passengers, Elmarie Steenberg and Marle Stewart.
Ms Steenberg confirmed her involvement in the helicopter crash to Facebook friends on Wednesday, adding “thank you to God for sparing all of us”.
Four people in the other helicopter were killed, including Sea World Helicopters’ chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, 40.
British couple Ron and Dianne Hughes also died, along with Ms Tadros.
Mr Jenkinson was taking off from the Sea World helipad as Mr James’ helicopter approached for landing in clear conditions on Monday afternoon.
Video footage released days after the deadly collision appeared to show passengers frantically trying to alert Mr James to the approaching danger, moments before impact.
The footage and numerous other recordings filmed by onlookers at Sea World have been provided to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to assist with the investigation.
A preliminary report on the disaster is expected by the end of next month, with a final report now anticipated in the third quarter of 2024.
Investigators are expected to focus on Sea World Helicopters’ takeoff and landing procedures, and communication between pilots.
It was not unusual for pilots to undertake multiple sightseeing trips a day over the theme park and surrounds, some as short as 5-minutes duration.
Sea World Helicopters is closed until further notice, but the Sea World theme park is continuing to operate throughout the busy summer holiday period.
Originally published as Hero chopper pilot leaves hospital as three remain, one critical
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