‘My leg’: SeaWorld helicopter tragedy survivor Winnie De Silva reveals son Leon’s first words out of coma

A survivor of the horrific SeaWorld helicopter crash that killed four has revealed the first words her son said to her as he woke from his coma.

The survivor of a horrifying helicopter crash on the Gold Coast that killed four has revealed the first words her son said to her after he woke from a coma in hospital.

Winnie De Silva and her nine-year-old son Leon were on board one of the Sea World helicopters when it collided with another chopper on January 2, sending it hurtling to the sandbank below.

Survivors of the Sea World helicopter crash Winnie de Silva and her son Leon. Ms De Silva revealed Leon’s first words out of his coma were “My Leg” as he continued to recover in Brisbane Children’s Hospital.

Four people – pilot Ash Jenkinson, British newlyweds Diane and Ron Hughes and Glenmore Park woman Vanessa Tadros – perished in the crash.

Ms De Silva, her son and Ms Tadros’ 10-year-old son Nicholas were critically injured and rushed to hospital.

In a statement penned from her bed at Gold Coast University Hospital, Ms De Silva thanked people for their “kind thoughts and healing prayers” for herself and her son.

“They are helping me stay positive that Leon and I will get through this,” Ms De Silva said.

Ms De Silva thanked the public for their “kind thoughts and healing prayers” in a statement penned from her bed at Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture: LinkedIn

Ms De Silva revealed her son had woken from his coma and she spoke with him at Brisbane Children’s Hospital over video call.

“He gave me a ‘thumbs up’ and one of his big, beautiful smiles,” she said.

“Today he spoke two words – ‘my leg’ – which gives me hope that he is getting stronger each day.

“With more surgery scheduled for me next week, my complete focus is on getting better so that within the next couple of weeks I can be with Leon and support his recovery.

“I can’t wait to hug my beautiful, brave boy!”

Winnie De Silva and her son were raced to hospital after the helicopter they were riding in crashed. Source: GoFundMe page

The De Silva family, including Winnie’s husband Neil, had decided to splurge on the helicopter ride during their holiday from Geelong West, in Victoria.

Mr De Silva was not on board the helicopter with his wife and son when he watched it lift off from the helipad before colliding with the blades of a second landing helicopter.

Police and ATSB Officers recover the wreckage from the sandbank near Sea World, on the Gold Coast. Picture Scott Powick

Two other holidaying couples from Auckland – Elmarie and Riaan Steenberg and Edward and Marle Swart – were on board the other helicopter which managed to land safely.

Tributes have continued to pour out for the four victims, with a GoFundMe for the De Silva family raising more than $60,000.

“The generosity of people has been amazing, and I can’t thank you enough,” Ms De Silva said.

“More importantly, I continue to pray for the recovery of young Nicholas, who was seated near me in the helicopter, and offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers. It is an unthinkable and difficult time for us all.”

The shocking airborne tragedy is still being combed over by investigators, who may not have a verdict until mid-2024.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the investigation’s initial evidence collection phase would last about 6-8 weeks.

“A final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation,” Commissioner Mitchell said.

“However, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”

Originally published as ‘My leg’: SeaWorld helicopter tragedy survivor Winnie De Silva reveals son Leon’s first words out of coma