Chopper crash victim Nicholas Tadros faces five surgeries in six-hour operation

Gold Coast helicopter crash victim Nicholas Tadros, 10, is facing a huge day as he prepares for surgery on broken bones in both legs and his left hand.

One of the two child victims of the Sea World helicopter crash is having miracle “small wins” that have “amazed” doctors in his fight to survive.

Sydney boy Nicholas Tadros, 10, was critically injured in last week’s crash that claimed the life of his mother Vanessa as well as British tourists Ron and Diane Hughes and Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ash Jenkinson.

Nicholas was last week transferred from Gold Coast University Hospital to Queensland Children’s Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, family friend Charlie Backhos revealed a message with some positive news from Nicholas’s father, Simon, overnight.

Vanessa Tadros and her son Nicholas before riding the ill-fated helicopter. Picture: Nine News.

“Nick has had an update, lungs have improved … swelling and lung capacity has gone better,” Mr Tadros said in the message, referring to concerns over jet fuel found in his son’s lungs.

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) is a big day for him as they are doing 5 surgeries on him, this will be a major test on his body, lungs and heart.

“I know it’s a bit late now to ask ppl (people) to pray for tomorrow.”

Mr Backhos said “things weren’t looking good at all” for Nicholas but there were now positive signs as he prepares for surgery on broken bones in both legs and his left hand.

“After all the prayers, all glory to God there’s been some miracles with small wins overcoming these setbacks which even amazed doctors and nurses,” he posted.

“Please everyone offer up morning prayers, mass or fasting that the doctors are guided by the Holy Spirit and to give Nicholas the strength and protection.”

Simon and Vanessa Tadros with their son Nicholas. Picture: Instagram

About 200 family and friends congregated at St Padre Pio church in Glenmore Park, where Nicholas received his first holy communion, to pray for his survival on Saturday.

His year 5 classmates were offered a brown armband to wear during the service to honour Nicholas’s recent achievement of a brown belt in karate.

Father Suresh Kumar said the tragedy was a reminder of the uncertainty of life and the mass was a demonstration of solidarity by the family’s community.

“The family needs our prayers constantly – this is what they’re requesting, that is why we have come together,” he said.

Queensland Police and ATSB Officers recover the wreckage after two helicopters collided near Sea World on the Gold Coast on January 3, 2023. Picture: Scott Powick

Mr Tadros is still urging the public to pray for his son as he heads into his second week in a critical condition.

The other child victim of the crash, Leon de Silva, 9, remains in a stable condition in Queensland Children’s Hospital while his mother Winnie is also stable in Gold Coast University Hospital.

This comes as the funeral for pilot Ashley “Jenko” Jenkinson will be held on Friday, January 13 at the Southport Church of Christ.

Mourners are being asked to wear black formal attire.

New Zealand tourists Elmarie Steenberg and Marle Swart, who survived the crash along with their husbands Riaan Steenberg and Edward Swart, were released from Gold Coast University Hospital last week after receiving treatment.

They were in the second helicopter with pilot Michael James when it crash-landed on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater.

On January 8, the New Zealand tourists expressed 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 in a statement released by the families.

“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.”