Authorities reveal horror details in dual helicopter crash that killed four people

More details have emerged about the helicopters involved and the moments leading up to the Gold Coast joyride tragedy that killed four people.

New details are emerging about the horrific helicopter collision on the Gold Coast which left four people dead and three others critically injured.

Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, 40, British couple Ron, 65, and Diane Hughes, 57, and NSW woman Vanessa Tadros, 36, died when their chopper was involved in a collision with another helicopter just seconds after takeoff over the Gold Coast Broadwater.

The scene moments after the two helicopters collided. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Their Eurocopter EC130B4 had been in the air for less than 20 seconds and had risen to an altitude of about 200 feet when it was involved in a collision with a chopper approaching from the west.

While the helicopter piloted by Mr Jenkinson plummeted to earth, the other pilot was miraculously able to manoeuvre his helicopter to a safe landing on a nearby sandbank.

Police and ATSB officers recover the wreckage from the Gold Coast helicopter tragedy. Picture: Scott Powick

The EC130B4 helicopter is operated from the left-hand side, and investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will seek to determine whether line of sight or communication systems played any role in the tragedy.

As per operator guidelines, Mr Jenkinson had taken off in a southerly direction into the face of a gentle south-easterly breeze blowing at between 15-18 knots (about 30km/hr).

Footage captures the mid-air collision.

He had two passengers in the front seat and four across the back. In addition to the four victims, Geelong mum Winnie De Silva, 33, was also on-board, along with her son Leon, 9, and Mrs Tadros’ 10-year-old son.

All three remain in hospital after the chopper’s rotor blade and gearbox separated from the rest of the machine on impact with the other helicopter.

The other chopper, the same model, had six people on board with one spare seat with all on board able to walk away from an emergency landing described as “remarkable” by Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell.

“It was a remarkable job considering the damage that was done to the front-left hand part of the aircraft where the pilot was sitting,” he said.

“We could have had a far worse situation here.

“What we do need to know now is, what was occurring inside those cockpits.”

It is understood there were no “mayday” distress transmissions sent by either pilot with investigators now looking to access recording devices salvaged from the wreckage.

Sea World Helicopters did not reopen for business on Tuesday and is closed until further notice.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has not ruled out criminal charges over the helicopter crash but says it’s “very early days” in the investigation.

Emergency services respond to the tragedy.

Ms Carroll and Acting Premier Steven Miles on Tuesday laid flowers at a public memorial site at the Southport Broadwater opposite where the crash happened.

The Commissioner was asked by media if criminal charges were possible as a result of the crash.

“It is early days and there’s a long way to go,” she said.

“Please be patient with that (investigation) … it may be days, it may be weeks.

“They are quite comprehensive investigations. We will prepare a report for the Coroner and assist the ATSB (Australian Transport Safety Board) with their investigations.”