Sea World Helicopter Crash 2023: Company director’s tribute to victims

The boss of Sea World Helicopters has paid tribute to the four victims of the horrific crash above the Broadwater and revealed how his company will mark the anniversary.

The boss of Sea World Helicopters says out of respect for the four victims of the horrific crash above the Broadwater it will not operate one year on this Tuesday.

January 2 will mark one year since two of the company’s helicopters collided in front of thousands of onlooks enjoying a summer day, leaving four dead and nine others injured.

Chief pilot Ash Jenkinson died along with Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros and British tourists Ron and Diane Hughes.

John Orr-Campbell, director of Sea World Helicopters.

Sea World Helicopters managing director John Orr-Campbell said the company would not operate on Tuesday on the anniversary of the crash.

“As we reach the one-year anniversary of the helicopter accident on the Southport Broadwater, our thoughts remain with all those who were impacted, and as a sign of respect we will not be operating on Tuesday 2nd January,” he said.

“We fondly remember Ash Jenkinson, our friend and pilot, who lost his life in the accident.

The devastating scene of a Helicopter crash between two Seaworld Helicopters just outside the tourist park on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater. Pilot Michael James and passengers from his chopper treated at the scene. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We also remember the passengers on Ash’s flight who lost their lives and their families and friends who have been impacted.

“I want to acknowledge and thank the other pilot, Michael James, who safely landed the second aircraft despite the damage it sustained.

“We also remember with gratitude the first responders and civilians who assisted on that day.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is expected to release its next interim report on Tuesday.

Investigators have interviewed the survivors, as well as more than 80 witnesses, including first responders.

The investigation has also carefully reviewed hundreds of hours of footage captured by mobile phones of the January 2, 2023 tragedy, as well as using state-of-the-art 3D computer technology to recreate the circumstances of the tragedy.

Investigators have also reviewed flight logs and data from the helicopter joy flight company in the months leading up to the crash to understand its operating procedures better as well as control of the airspace.

It comes after the initial report, which was released in March, found evidence the pilots may have been ‘flying blind” and that there had been no communication with each other in the lead-up to the tragedy.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said on Sunday it had been one of the most complex investigations in the agency’s history.

The ATSB report is expected to had down its findings in mid-2024 ahead of a coronial inquest.