Hero pilot Ashley Jenkinson remembered

The former partner of the Sea World pilot killed in a helicopter crash on the Gold Coast has made an emotional tribute to her former love, fondly recalling how he once flew her off on a snap date.

The former partner of pilot Ash Jenkinson, who died in the Sea World mid-air collision of two helicopters on Monday, has made an emotional tribute to her former love, fondly recalling how he once flew her to the Sunshine Coast on a snap date.

The helicopters – joy flights operating out of Sea World at Main Beach, collided in the air over the Gold Coast Broadwater about 2pm, leaving Mr Jenkinson and three passengers from one chopper dead as hundreds of visitors to the packed theme park watched on in terror. The second chopper landed safely on the same sandbank Mr Jenkinson’s helicopter plummeted into.

Mr Jenkinson leaves behind his wife Kosha and young son, Kayden.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Gold Coast yoga teacher Linda Doktar said she was “in disbelief, devastated (and) shattered” at the loss of Mr Jenkinson who was one of four to die in Monday’s tragedy.

“Thankyou for blessing my life with your presence as my partner (in) 2016/17,” she wrote, accompanied by pics of her and Mr Jenkinson together including one in a helicopter.

Linda Doktar said Ash Jenkinson once flew her to the Sunshine Coast for a snap date.

“I will never forget the day you rang me to ask if I can be ready in 20 minutes as you would pick me up in your chopper and fly me to Sunshine Coast and back.”

Ms Doktar said Mr Jenkinson was the reason she relocated from Brisbane to the Gold Coast “and began a brand new life here”.

“Thankyou for showing me the way,” she posted.

Linda Doktar posted a tribute to her former partner, pilot Ash Jenkinson.

“And I am so proud of you for following your passion of flying helicopters.

“My heart goes out to your parents Bev and Al, to your partner Kosha and your baby, to your siblings, to all of your friends and the lives of the hearts you touched.

Linda Doktar with Ash Jenkinson.

“To a well-respected and well-known Gold Coast pilot, son, father, partner and friend … you will be deeply missed. I love you.

“Rest in peace to the 4 souls who lost their human lives in this tragic accident.”

Mr Jenkinson is being remembered as a “legend” who came to the rescue of Northern NSW flood victims last year.

His friend Andy Taylor has revealed the haunting final text sent in the hours after the Gold Coast tragedy.

Mr Taylor said that as soon as he heard about the crash, he started calling Mr Jenkinson.

When his calls went straight to voicemail, he sent a text that read: “hope that wasn’t you?”

Ashley Jenkinson helps on a flight. Picture: Chris Lea

“If he entered the room you knew he was there, he was a big guy with a big heart,” Mr Taylor told Sunrise.

“He would just help anyone, it was pretty tragic, leaving a little family behind, it’s pretty sad.”

The Courier-Mail can reveal Mr Jenkinson had worked as a chief pilot at Sea World Helicopters since August 2019 and was considered a mentor to friends in the aviation industry.

He had only just celebrated the first birthday of his son in September.

Queensland Police and ATSB Officers recover the wreckage of the choppe in which four people were killed. Picture: Scott Powick

Tributes have poured in for Mr Jenkinson, as friends and those he helped during one of the worst floods on record remembered the man who was beloved by many.

The “heroic” pilot worked tirelessly delivering packages to people in Northern Rivers areas cut off by the floods.

Mr Taylor helped with the aid mission during the floods and paid tribute to his mate.

“Today we lost one of the biggest legends Ash Jenkinson, you were a gentleman,” he posted.

“Our team Ritchie Gregg, Ross Meadows, Deanie White, put together team to help all those in need from the floods in Ballina, with out you we could not achieve what we did.

“Fly high mate, our hearts are broken.”

Mr Taylor said Ash loved being a pilot.

“It was everything to him, I don’t actually think he had any other hobbies,” he said.

“He was a very very good one, I spent a lot of time in the air with him, flying around for numerous occasions.

“He was just so good at what he did, he was on point. It was just, I don’t understand what’s happened.”

Queensland Police and ATSB Officers recover the wreckage of the second helicopter on Tuesday. Those onboard the relatively intact chopper all survived. Picture: Scott Powick

Another friend, Morgan Reid, said she felt compelled to start the page to raise money for his wife and son, who is just one-year-old.

“I just wanted to help in any capacity I could, if this helps the burden for Kosha I’m relieved,” Ms Reid said.

“Ash was so kind and welcoming, their whole family was. He had such a beautiful soul and made anyone feel valued and heard.”

Ms Reid, who met the family taking their son’s newborn photographs, said they’ve been close ever since.

“Any donations will go straight to Kosha to help her and Kayden out in any way they need.”

Find the fundraiser here.

Another friend who took part in those flights, Ritchie Gregg, said they had lost a great mate.

“(We came) together to use Ash Jenkinson’s Heli to help flood victims in northern NSW. Delivering aid and evacuating people,” Mr Gregg posted.

Seconds before the two helicopters collided mid-air. Picture: 9 News

“Today we lost a great mate and a legend, it will always be the absolute highlight of my life what we did. Fly on.”

Ballina locals were devastated by the news, and praised Mr Jenkinson’s incredible work during the floods.

“If you heard my call and brought supplies to Kingsford Smith Park to be choppered out to flood survivors, Ash flew them there,’’ Deanie White posted on a local community page.

“If you received bags of food and loo paper and nappies via helicopter from Ballina, Ash brought them to you.

Helicopter pilot Ashley Jenkinson. Photo: John Gass / Tweed Daily News

“He was a kind, generous man. If it wasn’t for Ash, those flights would never have happened.

“I thought he was invincible. He was humble and had a big heart. I can’t believe he is gone. Vale Ash.”

Friend Billie Frank also spoke Mr Jenkinson’s professionalism after the floods.

“Ash Jenkinson from Sea World Helicopters – this incredible chief pilot performed lots of flights back and forth to people in need, including some very remote areas around Ballina and to the south and west,” she said.

Ashley Jenkinson with partner Kosha Richardson-Johnson. Picture: Supplied

“Flying is not an easy task. The concentration and being on point is constant, but as usual, Ash smashed it out of the park to help the flood victim.”

Clint Macrae said Mr Jenkinson’s death was a huge loss. “Ash, you were one of the good ones mate,” he posted. “A great guy, great friend and a fantastic pilot.

“You were a huge support to me as an instructor and mentor back at Moorabbin and I have always looked up to you, you will live on in the hearts and lives of so many.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to catch up this year mate, keep that beer cold for me, I’ll see you on the other side, old friend.”

Pilot Ashley Jenkinson. Picture: Ritchie Gregg

Daniel Round described Mr Jenkinson as a “true legend”.

“Thoughts are with you and everyone involved Ash,” he said.

“You were a true legend, you will be missed. Fly high you were taken to soon.

“Was a pleasure to learn to fly under you Ash, you were a great mentor and true gentleman. Fly high, blue skies and tailwinds, rest easy mate.”

Dylan Webber said he was “crushed” after hearing the news.

“Oh man, really oh my God I can’t believe this – so crushed, prayers are with all the family at this time,” he said.

“Ash was one of my longest mates – he will be missed heavy.”