By Jordan Baker and Jocelyn Garcia
A 36-year-old woman from Glenmore Park near Penrith in Sydney’s west is among four people who died in a helicopter crash on the Gold Coast, which also left the woman’s 10-year-old son in a critical condition.
The other victims aboard the Sea World helicopter were a British couple, aged 65 and 57, and Ashley Jenkinson, 40, an experienced pilot also originally from England, who helped with flood recovery in Lismore early last year.
Ashley Jenkinson, the pilot who died in the Gold Coast helicopter crashCredit: Facebook
A 33-year-old woman and a nine-year-old child are being treated for serious injuries.
News Corp identified the Sydney woman as Vanessa Tadros.
The four died when their helicopter, which was carrying seven people, fell about 30 metres into a sandbank after colliding with another helicopter near the Sea World theme park about 2pm on Monday.
The second chopper landed on the sandbank, with five of the six aboard suffering shrapnel wounds from a shattered windscreen. Members of the public scrambled to help.
Jenkinson helped with the Lismore flood rescues early last year. His son Kaiden was just over a year old.
Pilot Ashley Jenkinson’s wife Kosha with their baby in September 2021Credit: Facebook
“An amazing pilot,” a friend Lucy Rachel said on Facebook. “Always so kind, helpful, and supportive. A true gentlemen, and always willing to lend a hand.”
Another friend, Bronte Starkey, described him as a “beautiful and kind soul”.
Australian Transport Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the main rotor blade of the helicopter taking off, which was carrying those who died, collided with the front cockpit of the descending helicopter on the left-hand side.
“That in itself has led to the main rotor and the gearbox separating from that helicopter, which has meant that tragically, it’s then had no lift and it has fallen heavily to the ground,” he said.
Police inspect a helicopter at the scene of the fatal crash.Credit: AAP
Mitchell said the incident unfolded rapidly. “That helicopter taking off was in the air for less than 20 seconds and after the collision it was a matter of seconds before it hit the ground,” he said. Both helicopters were being removed from the area.
Sea World Helicopters – a separate company from the theme park – issued a statement saying it was devastated by the crash and was co-operating with investigators. “Our hearts go out to all those involved over this very sad time,” it said.
In a statement released overnight, the Sea World theme park said: “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.”
The theme park remains open on Tuesday. The tragedy comes more than six years after four people died on a ride at nearby theme park Dreamworld.
The British foreign office said it was “supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities”, a spokesperson said.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.