Hero pilot Michael James released from hospital, interviewed by police

Police have interviewed the hero pilot who managed to land his stricken chopper on a sandbank, saving the lives of his five passengers, after it clipped another chopper.

Police have interviewed the hero pilot who managed to land his stricken chopper on a sandbank, saving the lives of his five passengers, after it clipped another chopper.

Michael James, 52, spoke to police about Monday’s mid-air collision between two Sea World joy flight helicopters on the Southport Broadwater, before he was released from hospital on Thursday.

Sea World Helicopters pilot Michael James survived the tragedy.

Two other survivors - New Zealand tourists Elmarie Steenberg and Marle Swart - were also released from hospital yesterday after surgery for their injuries.

Before being released, Mrs Steenberg spoke from her hospital bed, saying: “Thank you to God for sparing all of us.”

“To our pilot (Michael James) who, through all the chaos, landed the helicopter safely, keeping us and other bystanders safe. You are our hero. Thank you so very much.”

Meanwhile, the shattered husband of one of the Gold Coast helicopter crash victims says he’s living a “nightmare” as their son fights for life in hospital.

Simon Tadros, whose wife Vanessa died in the tragedy, told of his 10-year-old boy Nicholas’s “touch and go” battle after Monday’s mid-air collision between two Sea World joy flight helicopters on the Southport Broadwater.

It came as the other child victim of the disaster, 9-year-old Leon de Silva, was taken off life support after he woke from a coma.

Mr Tadros - who witnessed the horror crash which claimed the lives of his wife, British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes and pilot Ashley Jenkinson - said his son remained on life support in Gold Coast University Hospital and was “not good”.

Simon and Vanessa Tadros with their son Nicholas. Mrs Tadros was killed when two Sea World Helicopters collided at the Gold Coast on Monday which left her son in a critical condition. Picture: Supplied https://www.instagram.com/brylou_photography/

“It’s still very touch and go - every 24 hours is a big step for him,” he said.

“He’s still on life support and on the ventilator and will be for a while.

“I have amazing support by my side, though you can only imagine the nightmare we are living. I’m not in a good headspace at all.”

Winnie de Silva with her son Leon de Silva.Picture: Supplied

Barwon Health nurse Anne Mwangi, a close family friend Leon de Silva’s mother, Winnie, said Leon had “breathing on his own” in intensive care before revealing details of the touching moment he video called his mother.

“He was able to give mum a big thumbs up when they spoke over a video call and that is just great news, it is a blessing,” Ms Mwangi said.

“Leon is getting there and at least he is breathing on his own now.

“We are celebrating every little bit of good news.”

The family of Mr and Mrs Hughes also broke their silence, telling of the “huge hole” their loss had left.

The couple were visiting Mr Hughes’ Gold Coast-based daughter, Jane Manns and her husband Ben, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

“They were the most generous, loyal, fun-loving couple who had a zest for life and were loved and adored by everyone they met,” their family said in a statement.

“Tragedies like this happen to ‘other people’ and we are all struggling to come to terms with our loss.

“They leave a huge hole in our family and will be survived by parents, brothers, sons, daughters, and their cheeky grandkids.

British couple Diane and Ron Hughes. Picture Supplied

“On behalf of our Australian and UK family, we would like to thank all the first responders, emergency services and Seaworld staff for their heroics in trying to save our loved ones.

“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted and we pray for the recovery of survivors still in hospital.

“Finally, the outpouring of love from our friends, family and the Gold Coast community has touched us all and will never be forgotten.”

Sea World helicopters boss John Orr-Campbell also released a statement, saying he was “gutted to the core” over the four deaths.

“We also acknowledge the suffering of those that were injured,” he said.

“Ash Jenkinson, an experienced pilot, who lost his life in the accident, was well known to many of us.

“I knew Ash personally for nine years. He was a fine man and a standout pilot with 6210 hours of flying to his name.

“To lose a man and a pilot of Ash’s calibre is shocking in every sense of the word. I, along with all the staff at Sea World Helicopters are gutted to the core.

“My heart aches as I think of Ash’s fiancée Kosha and his one-year-old son Kayden.”