Sea World Helicopter crash victim Nicholas Tadros awake but faces long recovery

Nicholas Tadros, one of the youngest victims of the fatal Sea World Helicopter crash, has emerged from a coma to hold his dad’s hand.

Vanessa Tadros and 10yo Nicholas before riding the helicopter. Picture Nine News

One of the youngest victims of the fatal Sea World helicopter crash on the Gold Coast has awoken from his coma and held his dad’s hand in what has proved to be a miraculous tale of survival.

Sydney schoolboy Nicholas Tadros, 10, was left fighting for life in a critical condition on January 2 after a helicopter joy ride from the popular theme Park went horribly wrong when there was a collision on takeoff with another chopper coming in to land.

His mother, Vanessa Tadros, 36, died alongside pilot Ash Jenkinson, 40, and British couple Ron and Diane Hughes, aged 65 and 57.

In a social media update on Saturday night, Nicholas’s father Simon Tadros said his son had been off life support for a few days after undergoing six hours of surgery last Tuesday, which was described as a major test for the young boy’s recovery.

“His body has responded very well, (he’s) still on the ventilator machine to support his breathing,” Mr Tadros wrote.

“They have lowered his sedation medicine at times to see if he is responsive and he has woken up and (is) able to respond to some questions with a nod or shake of the head.

“Due to the pain and distress and anxiety levels they have had to sedate him again for now.”

Simon and Vanessa Tadros with Nicholas. Picture: Instagram

Nicholas still has a long road ahead, with his father confirming he has yet to move his legs after they were both broken in the crash.

He will have another two surgeries next week at Queensland Children’s Hospital, one “major” operation on Tuesday and another on Friday on his right ankle.

“Thank you to everybody that has shown support, love and the continuous prayers for Nicky, God is listening to our prayers,” Mr Tadros said.

“Please continue to pray for Nicholas, he has a long hard road ahead of him.”

Mrs Tadros’s funeral is being held at the family’s regular church at Mt Druitt, in Sydney’s west, on Monday.

Pilot Mr Jenkinson was farewelled on the Gold Coast last Friday.

The two other survivors of the doomed helicopter, Winnie de Silva and her nine-year-old son Leon, from Geelong, remain in hospital in a stable condition.

Mrs de Silva suffered broken legs and shoulder injuries while the young basketball player was initially in a medically induced coma for brain swelling and a cracked skull.