Qld helicopter crash: What we know about the victims, timeline of events and fallout

Investigations remain ongoing into the mid-air helicopter crash on the Gold Coast that claimed the life of four people. This is everything we know so far.

The January 2, 2023 helicopter crash on the Gold Coast shocked the nation.

Four people died following a mid-air collision between two choppers near popular tourist park Sea World, an incident that revived painful memories from a 1991 crash.

This is what we know so far and what is likely to happen next.

WHEN AND WHERE WAS THE ACCIDENT?

At about 2pm on Monday, January 2, 2023 two joy flights operating out of Sea World at Main Beach, collided in the air over Queensland’s Gold Coast Broadwater.

The crash, captured on video, left pilot Ash Jenkinson and three passengers from one chopper dead as hundreds of visitors to the packed theme park watched on in terror.

Dozens of emergency services personnel were deployed on the scene as frantic onlookers jumped in the water to assist where they could.

Emergency services at the helicopter crash site shortly after the collision. Picture: News Media Network

Speaking at the scene on the Tuesday afternoon, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the state had suffered many tragedies that festive season.

“It’s time for us to do what Queenslanders do best and that’s to support each other, to help each other," he said.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said there were “incredibly confronting scenes” around the accident.

A series of shocking photos were captured just moments after the crash.

WHAT HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE CRASH?

Vision – which included a young boy asking in a worried voice: “Are they gonna crash?” – showed one helicopter taking off and within about 20 seconds flying into the path of another coming in to land.

Australian Transport and Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the helicopter which crashed had only been in the air for 20 seconds, but fell from a significant height.

“It does appear that the main rotor blade of the helicopter taking off has collided with the front cockpit of the descending helicopter on the left hand side,” he said.

“But that in itself has led to the main rotor and the gearbox separate from that helicopter which has meant tragically it had no lift and it has fallen heavily to the ground.”

Michael James, the pilot of the second helicopter, which had five passengers on board, miraculously managed to land on a sand bank in the middle of the Broadwater, with everyone aboard able to walk away.

The passengers included a 27-year-old Western Australia woman and two families from New Zealand who were travelling together – a 44-year-old man and 43-year-old woman from one family and a 48-year-old man and 45-year-old woman from the other.

Footage later emerged which showed those on the chopper pointing at something and alerting their pilot.

Aviation experts later deemed the helicopter collision a true tragedy, saying the experienced pilots may have encountered a combination of unfortunate, ill-timed events prior to the fatal mid-air crash.

In September 2023 Australia’s air crash investigator issued a safety alert, saying some passengers were not wearing correctly-fitted seatbelts.

WHAT DID WITNESSES SAY?

Acting Inspector Gary Worrell from the southeastern police region paid tribute to the people who rushed to help amid the chaos on the water.

Visitor Tor Kumpel said he was on a day off with his wife having a swim at the Broadwater when he saw the carnage unfold across the water.

“I could see two helicopters. One was coming up and the other one was coming down and the back rotor collected the one coming down,” he said.

Emma Burch described hearing a “massive bang”.

“They clipped each other – there was a massive bang heard right through the Broadwater tourist park then the swooshing as the one that lost control hit the water and broke apart,” she said.

“It’s just awful. Everyone is in shock.

Four people died and many more have been injured after two helicopters collided near Sea World. Picture: 9 NEWS

“From what we saw one was taking off, the other landing. They clipped each other.”

A Sydney couple also revealed how they were due to next ride in the helicopter.

“We watched the helicopter load with the people. There was the pilot and two elderly people in the front, a lady and a little boy next to her in the back, and another person next to them,” they said.

“They buckled everyone up, everything was normal, everyone was excited, then we watched it all happen.

“The helicopter that just took off collided into the one above. Its propellers just got ripped straight off, it was 25 to 30 metres high at that point.”

In February survivors recounted the horrific moments leading up to and following the midair collision that claimed four lives.

In an interview with 60 Minutes, Elmarie Steenberg, a passenger of the helicopter that managed to land safely, told of the moment she saw blood on her friend Marle Swart.

WHO WERE THE VICTIMS?

Two of the people killed were British citizens – Ron (65) and Diane (57) Hughes – who were in Queensland on holiday.

The couple, from Liverpool, were married in 2021.

The other passenger victim was 36-year-old Vanessa Tadros (Geagea) from Glenmore Park, NSW.

Her 10-year-old son Nicholas, also from Glenmore Park, in February 2023 had his right leg amputated below the knee and made a slow recovery.

His dad spoke about the family’s trauma and what’s next.

Pilot and family man Ash Jenkinson also died in the crash.

Two other passengers in that helicopter were rushed to hospital with critical injuries: A 33-year-old woman from Geelong West, Winnie de Silva, and her nine-year-old son Leon.

“I heard a huge bang and the only thing I could feel was the shaking of the helicopter,” de Silva said.

“I could see the pilot pressing all these buttons, stressed out – he didn’t know what to do.

Chief pilot of Sea World helicopters, Ash 'Jenko' Jenkinson, 40, died in the helicopter crash over the Gold Coast Broadwater.

WHO WERE THE PILOTS?

Ash Jenkinson was the chief pilot of Sea World Helicopters, an operation run out of the theme park by Professional Helicopter Services.

An experienced aviator, he had been the outfit’s chief pilot for more than three years and left behind a young family.

The 40-year-old father, known to mates as “Jenko”, had just welcomed his first child, a son, in September.

Friends and loved ones described a man who tirelessly flew mercy missions during the 2022 Northern Rivers flooding disaster, a “true gentleman” and helpful, spirited person.

Close friend Andy Taylor revealed the heartbreaking moment he realised his mate was gone.

“I saw some photos come up on social media and tried to ring Ash and make contact,” he said.

“There was no answer so I rang a friend of mine and he gave me the unfortunate news.”

Mr Jenkinson was remembered in a funeral service on January 13.

Michael James, 52, was the pilot in the helicopter that landed successfully and underwent surgery on his injuries.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said it was “remarkable” the other helicopter was able to land safely on the sandbar despite “significant damage” to the front left hand section of the chopper.

“It does appear to be a remarkable job to have got it down,” he said.

Aviation expert Geoff Thomas, with more than 45 years industry experience, described it as “an extraordinary feat of airmanship”.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE FALLOUT?

Speaking two days after the crash, Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said they had no preliminary theories about the cause of the crash.

“We have a reasonable understanding of what the helicopters were doing in those critical stages of flight (take off and landing),” he said.

In March 2023 Mr Mitchell claimed, as part of the preliminary report, that pilot Michael James told investigators he did not hear a taxi call over radio from fellow pilot Ash Jenkinson as that aircraft took off.

In September investigations were ongoing.

A GoFundMe page was set up for the family of pilot Ash Jenkinson.

It is understood the Sea World Helicopters aircraft were operated by an external contractor called Professional Helicopter Services Group.

All Gold Coast operations had been suspended as investigations into the crash continued.

TRIBUTES FOR THOSE KILLED

John Orr-Campbell, the boss of Sea World Helicopters, said he was devastated and was working with authorities to determine the cause of the horror crash

“We and the entire flying community are devastated by what has happened and our sincere condolences go to all those involved and especially the loved ones and family of the deceased,” a statement said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described it as “an unthinkable tragedy” and sent condolences to families involved.

Gold Coast Acting Mayor Donna Gates said the public could lay flowers and pay their respects at a site at the nearby Broadwater Parklands.

“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families, first responders and those who witnessed the accident,” Cr Gates said.

Tributes also poured in for pilot Ash Jenkinson.

“The people you helped all thank you,” Ritchie Gregg wrote on Facebook, in references to mercy missions Mr Jenkinson flew during the Northern Rivers flooding disaster in 2022.

“We helped hundreds of homes and people through northern NSW floods with his help. GC lost a legend today.”

The former partner of pilot Jenkinson made an emotional tribute to her former love, fondly recalling how he once flew her to the Sunshine Coast on a snap date.

Blair Chave said Mr Jenkinson was a “great genuine bloke who was a pleasure to train with”.

Friends of Mr and Mrs Hughes also shared tributes of the couple online.

“Absolutely lost for words, heartbroken,” one friend said.

Shattered Sydney father Simon Tadros, who witnessed the crash that killed his wife, asked the community to “pray” for his surviving son.

Originally published as Qld helicopter crash: What we know about the victims, timeline of events and fallout