How dream Qld holiday turned to nightmare: Tourists’ incredible escape from Sea World helicopter tragedy

Four tourists were out celebrating New Year’s Eve in Surfers Paradise just hours before their dream Gold Coast holiday turned to a nightmare in the Sea World helicopter disaster.

• Everything we know about Qld chopper crash
• Investigation: What happened inside the cockpits
• Explained: 20 seconds to disaster

Four New Zealand tourists were out celebrating New Year’s Eve in Surfers Paradise just hours before their dream Gold Coast holiday turned to nightmare in the Sea World helicopter disaster.

Auckland friends Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg and Marle and Edward Swart were all aboard the helicopter which crash-landed on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater after a mid-air collision with another chopper.

All four Kiwis, who are aged in their 40s, were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital where Mrs Steenberg and Mrs Stewart remained on Wednesday in a stable condition.

Elmarie and Riaan Steenberg. Picture: Facebook.

Edward and Marle Swart. Picture: Facebook

The Steenbergs’ son, Enrico, shared his gratitude to pilot Michael James who saved the lives of his parents and a 27-year-old Western Australian woman who was also on board by managing to land the stricken chopper on the sandbank.

“Thx (sic) to the pilot for saving my parents from the crash and all prayers to the family who lost their loved ones,” he wrote to Instagram.

The Steenbergs and the Swarts were enjoying an idyllic holiday together in south east Queensland.

New Zealand tourists Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg with Marle and Edward Swart celebrating the New Year at the Gold Coast before their holiday turned into a nightmare. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Steenberg shared a highlight reel of their trip so far to social media just a day before the crash, featuring photos of the friends at the beach, markets, and watching New Year’s Eve fireworks on Surfers Paradise beach.

“Happy New Year,” the caption read.

Ironically, the reel was accompanied by violinist Dave Garrett’s cover of The Verve hit Bitter Sweet Symphony.

Mr James, 52, also remained in Gold Coast University Hospital on Wednesday after surgery.