‘Humble hero’: What late Sea World chopper crash pilot Ash Jenkinson meant to Northern Rivers community
The beloved pilot killed in a horror Sea World helicopter collision on the Gold Coast touched the lives of northern NSW residents. Here’s what they’ve had to say.
Lismore
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Pilot, father, son, “hero without a cape” – a man with a “big heart” taken too soon.
Ash Jenkinson’s tragic death alongside three others when two helicopters collided over Southport Broadwater on the Gold Coast on Monday has spread a great sadness across the country. At least three more people were critically injured.
Well loved and respected, the 40-year-old was a man who gave a lot – and then some.
He is particularly remembered in the Northern Rivers for his role in delivering essential supplies during one of the nations most horrific flooding disasters.
After seeing the devastation, Mr Jenkinson took it upon himself with the help of a few mates to orchestrate aid the best way they could in March last year.
Ritchie Gregg from Jetpack Events knew Ash Jenkinson like a brother.
“When the floods happened and there was no government in sight he came up with the idea to use the Heli,” he said.
“So we dropped our own money to get it airborne, started a GoFundMe and kept it going for five days.”
Ash Jenkinson was one of a group of friends that came down to Ballina from the Gold Coast to help with flood relief. He was joined by Ross Meadows, Andy Taylor, Mr Gregg and Benny Godfrey.
Mr Taylor from AMT Marine got the ball rolling by filling his company truck full of food and much needed supplies. The men then ventured to Ballina to be distribute via Helicopter drops.
“If it wasn’t for his heli’ and skills … a lot of people would have waited weeks for the defence to come (as they did),” Mr Greg said.
“Pretty sure everyone in Ballina in particular saw this guy fly over during the floods and stop and help.”
Mr Gregg, on the ground team, organised and co-ordinated with locations in and around Ballina to help victims of the floods who were stranded and struggling.
Ross Meadows from Media Booth arranged the helicopter for much-needed food drops over two days.
Mr Jenkinson from Sea World Helicopters flew back and forth to help people in need, including in some remote areas around Ballina.
Billie Frank said via Facebook: “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 victims.”
Jodie Hughson and her family were stranded at Coraki during the 2022 flood disaster.
They had lost power, water and were running low on drinking water. Phones were running flat and landlines were out.
“My kids were trying to get through to everyone through the SES, the police, and Ash must have seen the SOS,” Ms Hughson said.
“A bit of our driveway was out of the water so he landed the Sea World helicopter there.
“He brought so much stuff.
“Fresh fruit, vegies, bread, and he’d heard that our neighbour had a newborn baby so he brought nappies and baby formula – just lifesaving stuff.”
The essential deliveries included fresh water.
“It was about day six for us and we were getting into a bit of a panic about what are we going to do. Ash stayed and chatted to us, he was so calm when he talked with us and we thanked him,” Ms Hughson said.
“Just a really lovely person, and to do that … like was just amazing to us.”
The family had been trying to wave down helicopters for days as they were becoming desperate for drinking water.
“Finally one landed and we were so happy,” Ms Hughson said.
“Part of our gravel driveway was visible and he sort of plonked it (helicopter) down.
“It was a pretty amazing day for us, we’ll never forget him.”
Deanie White from East Ballina met Ash Jenkinson at Kingsford Smith Park volunteering to help stranded flood victims.
“I met Ash at Kingsford Smith Park, when his helicopter was being loaded up with supplies for another food drop,” she said.
“There was just this handful of guys from the Goldy’, and a local woman and her daughter.
“They were doing it all themselves. At the end of that day I offered to be the ground co-ordinator the following day.
Ms White said when Mr Jenkinson and four friends flew in to Ballina they were shocked by the turnout of volunteers and the donations the people of Ballina brought to be choppered out to Wardell, Empire Vale and South Ballina.
“They saw a need and filled it,” Ms White said.
When demand exhausted supplies volunteers from the community stepped up.
“We put a call out over social media for all sorts of emergency items,” Ms White said.
Food, fuel, first aid, clothing, nappies and other critical supplies piled up at Kingsford Smith Park.
“We organised them into packs and loaded them into the helicopter,” she said.
Mr Jenkinson flew across Ballina Shire and beyond, providing not just emergency supplies relief, but also performing rescues, dropping vets in and delivering critical medication.
“Ash took on the challenge of getting all of those donations out,” Ms White said.
“He worked so hard. It was really hot. He would return shocked by what he saw which only motivated him to work harder.”
Ms White said people were so grateful.
“He also joined in with his mates raising funds to pay for the helicopter fuel,” she said.
“Ash was absolutely a humble hero without a cape.”
Shell Potter said Mr Jenkinson helped create lasting memories of her son Jaylen, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2019.
“In March 2020 we went on his make-a-wish trip to the Gold Coast from WA,” she said.
“When we arrived for our scenic flight tour with Sea World we were greeted by the team and introduced to our pilot, Ash.
“He showed anything and everything to my son, and really took the time to engage with him.
“It just warmed my heart to see a complete stranger have such empathy for a sick teenager.
“We had our flight, Jaylen had some fun in the air, and we created some amazing memories before my son passed.
“A truly amazing pilot.”
Lennox Head resident and events project management delivery officer at Lismore City Council, Libby Lund-McDonald was involved with Mr Jenkinson and his crew during the flood recovery efforts.
“Ash was a man with a big heart,” she said.
“He sprang into action when he saw the devastating flooding events in the Northern Rivers.
“Along with Ross Meadows, Ritchie Gregg, Benny Godfrey, Deanie White and Libby Lund-McDonald (they) came together to help those most in need.
“Ash started a GoFundMe page, MudArmy 2.0 Helicopter Support and proceeded to air-drop supplies to people cut off by floodwaters.
“As a local resident that had already begun to successfully fundraise and help the flood-affected from day one with ‘Buy-A-Bed’ collaborating our efforts was an easy decision.
“Ash and the team wanted to continue to help our community and through this collaboration the work continues today.”
Ms Lund-McDonald said she was “quite humbled” to have Ash post about their collaboration:
“The world is a better place with people like you and your team in it Libby, do us all proud and make every cent count as I know you will for those who need it most.”
Ms Lund-McDonald said: “It was a small group of dynamic like-minded people that came together without hesitation to help a community by providing heli-drops of essential items to farmers and communities cut off by flood waters.
“Bonds and friendships were formed out of the tragic events unfolding.
“Ash will be remembered as a man with a big heart.”
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