One child’s heartfelt vigil for pilot Ashley Jenkinson has caught the heart of the Gold Coast

A “helicopter obsessed” 10-year-old Gold Coast boy has captured hearts with a touching tribute to victims of Monday’s crash. SEE THE VIDEO

A “helicopter obsessed” 10-year-old who was taken on a dream flight by pilot Ashley Jenkinson has melted hearts with a touching tribute to the crash victim.

Mr Jenikinson was one of four people who died when two choppers operated by Sea World Helicopters collided at the Broadwater on Monday.

Helicopter fanatic Mason Sia from Labrador, who was diagnosed with autism at three years old, regularly travelled to Sea World to watch the choppers take flight.

Mason Sia with his Blade 450 3D Helicopter. Picture: Kirstie Roche

“We go there once a week as Mason likes watching all the helicopters land - we were just there the day before the crash watching the Sea World choppers taking off and landing,” mother Kirstie Roche said.

“It turns out we had the same pilot about a year ago, so I think that combined with the tragic loss of those people really got to Mason.

“It was so good when we went on that flight - we went for Mason’s friend Tate’s birthday as he’s obsessed with helicopters too.

“Ash was so lovely he was just amazing with the boys and such a great pilot - I don’t understand how it happened.”

Kirstie Roche, Mason Sia, Jemma Lloyd, Tate Cameron, Christian Volka, Emily and Daniel Volka before their flight with Ashley Jenkinson. Picture: Ashley Jenkinson

“It was so good when we went on that flight - we went for Mason’s friend Tate’s birthday as he’s obsessed with helicopters too.

“Ash was so lovely he was just amazing with the boys and such a great pilot - I don’t understand how it happened.”

Pilot Ashley Jenkinson, Jemma Lloyd, Tate Cameron and Christian Volka. Picture: Kirstie Roche

Ms Roche said Mason decided to pay his own special tribute to the crash victims after being left devastated by news of the tragedy.

“We got home and Masey was laying in his room crying,” she said.

“When I asked him what was wrong he said he was very sad the helicopter was broken and the people were not okay.

“He said it would be nice if we could light a candle for the pilot, so he put his toy helicopters all around the house, put a soft song on and lit so many candles - it was so beautiful.”

Mason’s tribute has captured the hearts of Gold Coasters after a video of it was shared on social media.

Mason Sia with his Blade 450 3D Helicopter. Picture: Kirstie Roche

“I wanted to do it because the pilot crashed his helicopter,” he said. “That made me feel a little bit upset so I lit a lot (of candles) with four helicopters.”

Ms Roche said Mason is now paying his respects in another way.

“He’s practicing flying his Blade 450 3D Helicopter, which we got after our flight with Ashley Jenkinson. We were told it was the same model Sea World pilots used to train in. “Mase hasn’t stopped playing with it since the crash.”

“I’m learning to fly it,” said Mason.

“It’s a remote control helicopter what the SeaWorld pilots used to train with – it’s hard to fly but I’m practicing hard.”