Forresters Beach helicopter crash: Friends launch GoFundMe page for passenger Sara Evans

The helicopter flight that crashed at Forresters Beach was a birthday gift for Sara Evans who was on her way to celebrate her combined 40th with her son’s 21st. See the latest here.

The community is rallying behind the family involved in the helicopter crash in Forresters Beach.

Friend Marney McQueen has launched a GoFundMe page for Sara Evans and her husband Dave who were on their way to Sara and her son’s combined 40th and 21st birthday celebrations.

The pair were gifted the flight to the venue at The Quarters resort on Saturday afternoon. The plan was to land in the carpark however the helicopter was seen circling the area a number of times before it hit powerlines and crashed on the side of the Central Coast Highway.

The couple and pilot walked away from the wreckage however Mrs Evans was taken to John Hunter Hospital with a head injury. The mother of two remains in a stable condition.

“I’m just starting a little fund to help Sara and Dave get back on their feet after their dreadful accident,” the fundraiser reads.

A helicopter crash landed on the Central Coast Highway at Forresters Beach. Picture: 7 NEWS

“Please share this amongst her nearest and dearest, and only contribute if you are in a position to, don’t feel any pressure, many of you are still feeling traumatised from having witnessed the accident yourselves.

“This is just so they don’t have to worry about money until Sara is back to good health. Sara has done so much to help other people in her life, now she’s the one who needs help.”

Another of Mrs Evans’s friends Fran added to the fundraiser saying that Mrs Evans was on her way to her 40th birthday which was also combined with her son’s 21st.

“Their friend offered to make it extra special by flying them both to Forresters Beach in his Helicopter,” she wrote.

“Just as they were flying in, tragedy struck and the chopper came down and crashed in front of their children, family and friends.

The combined 40th and 21st was being held at The Quarters resort in Forresters Beach.

“Luckily for the pilot and Dave they had superficial injuries but the helicopter landed upside down on Saras side and she had suffered concussion and head and neck injuries and was airlifted to John Hunter. The shock of this terrible event will take a lot of effort, counselling and time to get through for Sara and her family.

“Sara was just about to start a new and exciting job on Monday 28th November to help support her family but obviously she won’t be working until she has fully recovered.

“Her and Dave will need financial support and given that Sara gives so much time to our local community we ask you to give a little to help the family with medical bills and counselling for them and their children who witnessed it all unfold right in front of their eyes.”

Mrs Evans is well known across the coast for her work with Camp Breakaway as well as charity events.

EARLIER

Investigations into the dramatic helicopter crash at Forresters Beach will take up to two months to finalise – as reports emerge of “screaming” and people jumping over fences after the crash.

A four-seat Robinson R44 helicopter was due to land at a resort carpark – to deliver passengers for a 40th birthday – when it hit power lines and crashed on a vacant block beside Central Coast Highway on Saturday afternoon.

Three passengers, including a husband and wife, miraculously managing to crawl out of the wreckage.

The helicopter was due to land in the carpark of a resort before it crashed across the road. Picture: 7 NEWS

The couple were being flown to a birthday party at The Quarters Forresters Beach resort with plans for the helicopter to land in the carpark where family and friends were waiting on their arrival.

Rebecca Thompson, who lives four doors down from the crash site, said she was home with her two children just before 6pm when she heard the chopper flying overhead multiple times.

“The last time it came over I said to my son ‘that’s really close’,” she told the Express.

“I walked outside and heard the whipping noises of powerlines. I got to the top of my driveway and saw my neighbour who ran to the helicopter. I called triple-0 and they asked if we needed ambulance, police or fire. I said ‘send everyone’.”

Mrs Thompson said she heard screaming and saw people “spewing” over the fences of The Quarters resort.

“The passenger was the guest of honour and all the guests saw what happened,” she said.

“It was traumatic for everyone, there was a lot of screaming and crying. The children that saw were very upset.”

The helicopter flew into powerlines. Picture: 7 NEWS

She said her neighbour helped pull the three people from the helicopter wreckage.

“It was an absolute miracle they survived,” she said. “The helicopter was upside down and he helped pull them out.”

She said her neighbour, who did not want to appear in media reports, was an “absolute hero”.

Emergency services were called to the scene, between Cresthaven Ave and Tumbi Road, after receiving reports of the crash.

The male pilot, 48, was taken to Gosford Hospital with minor injuries, while a woman in her 40s was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition with suspected head injuries.

The woman’s husband was also flown to hospital with minor injuries.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service landed at a nearby carpark and flew the woman to John Hunter Hospital. Picture: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

A section of the highway was closed on Saturday night and Sunday while the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) started investigations.

A team of transport safety investigators from Canberra, with experience in helicopter operations and maintenance, was sent to the site for evidence collection. The helicopter was removed from the site at 6pm on Sunday afternoon.

“The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation into the collision with terrain of a four-seat Robinson R44 helicopter near Forresters Beach, NSW on Saturday evening,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

Image of the helicopter being removed at Forresters Beach. Picture: Rebecca Thompson

“Over coming days ATSB investigators will survey and map the accident site and collect any relevant components for further examination and analysis at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.

“They will also obtain and review any recorded data, weather information, witness reports, and aircraft operator procedures and maintenance records.”

The Safety Bureau spokesman said a preliminary report was expected between six to eight weeks.

“The ATSB will publish a final report, detailing contributing factors and any identified safety issues, at the conclusion of the investigation,” the chief commissioner 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.”