Hundreds join prayers for chopper crash victim Nicholas Tadros
Hundreds join emotional service for Sydney boy Nicholas Tadros after a horror week on life support following the Sea World helicopter tragedy that claimed his mother.
NSW
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Neighbours, friends and even strangers have come together in an emotional show of support for a western Sydney family struck by tragedy, hoping their little boy pulls through.
Hundreds packed the halls of a Glenmore Park church to pray for the recovery of Nicholas Tadros, 10, who is fighting for life 900km away after the Sea World helicopter tragedy on Monday.
Loved ones wiped away tears as the congregation remembered Nicholas’ mum Vanessa, who died in the crash and left behind husband Simon who has not left their son’s bedside this week.
“When the accident unfolded some of us thought it was out there … until it knocked on our door,” Father Suresh Kumar said.
“Our own family studying in our own schools who took communion here, I cannot imagine what the father is going through watching the helicopter fall.
“Right now that man has lost his wife but he has no time to grieve, he has to be at the bed of his son.”
“He is holding onto prayer.”
Nicholas’ classmates stood bravely with their families as tears were wept, praying their little mate recovers.
“It doesn’t make sense at all, but it has turned out to be a nightmare,” Father Kumar said.
“If I mention what Simon told me you would all be crying and I see lots of Nicholas’ classmates here but I do not want that.”
Among those praying for a recovery were mates from the karate club where Nicholas was soon to receive a black belt.
“I’ve seen him grow from a shy boy to a confident young man,” his coach Henry Nasr said.
“His mother and father are such beautiful people, his mother especially, she would leave no one out when we did things together.
“He is like my own son, they are all like my family, we’re all just totally shattered for him.”
“Nicky” as many called him was the centre of their little world, their next door neighbour Marian Gabraiel said.
“When we moved in five years ago I was so excited when I found out they were our neighbours,” she said.
“I know they say it a lot but (Vanessa) literally was an angel,” she said.
“Our kids go to school together and they come over to our house, (Simon) is such a kind, loving father and a husband.
“Every family loves each other but they were just so pure, Nicky was their world.”
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