Surviving boys from Gold Coast helicopter crash critical in hospital

Two boys are in hospital after surviving the Sea World helicopter crash that killed one of their mothers and seriously injured the other.

The wreckage of the helicopter in which four people died. Picture: Scott Powick

Two boys are in hospital after surviving the Sea World helicopter crash that killed one of their mothers and seriously injured the other.

Another two passengers on the joy flight, holidaying British couple Ron and Diane Hughes, were also killed when the seven-seater helicopter took off and collided with another coming in to land.

Experienced pilot Ash Jenkinson was at the controls when the Eurocopter EC130 plummeted from the sky over the Gold Coast Broadwater and crashed into a small sandbar about 200m from the helipad it had just left.

He too was killed on impact.

Remarkably, the second helicopter was steered safely to the sandbar even after its front section was torn off mid-air.

Geelong man Neil de Silva, whose wife Winnie, 33, and stepson Leon, 9, remain in hospital, said the joy flight was supposed to be a highlight of their Queensland holiday.

Instead, he watched in horror as the helicopter they took off and climbed slowly into the path of the other, which was descending.

He looked on as it plummeted on to the sandbar and as dozens of would-be rescuers from nearby boats raced to help.

“My wife and stepson were injured in the helicopter crash at Sea World yesterday while we were on a quick holiday from Geelong,” Mr de Silva wrote on a fundraising page. “Thankfully they are both alive but have a lot of surgery ahead of them which means the family will need to stay here on the Gold Coast and I won't be able to return to work.”

Leon was flown to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane where he was in a critical condition on Tuesday night, while Ms De Silva was in a “serious” condition in Gold Coast University Hospital.

Another boy, Nicholas Tadros, 10, was the only other survivor of the crash that killed his mother, Vanessa Tadros, 36.

They had been visiting from Glenmore Park, northwest of Sydney.

On Tuesday, Nicholas was in a critical condition in the Gold Coast University Hospital.

His tutor, Jenny Jordan, posted a tribute on social media.

“What an absolute tragedy,” she said “Our beautiful Tadros family, Aced It Tutoring are feeling the pain of this loss. Hold your loved ones close.”

Ron and Diane Hughes, aged 57 and 65, who were married in August 2021, had been visiting family in Australia from their home in Liverpool, England when they decided to take in the view of the Gold Coast from above.

Police said the couple had “next of kin” in Australia.

Tributes continued to pour in on social media on Tuesday for Mr Jenkinson, Sea World’s chief pilot and head of helicopter operations.

Friends described their shock and heartbreak upon hearing about the death of the 40-year-old, whose wife, Kosha, gave birth to their son, Kaiden, in 2021.

Fellow pilot Ben Hall said he would remember Mr Jenkinson’s “infectious smile and laugh”.

“Our friendship formed through aviation has left so many memories that we will cherish forever,” he said. “The way you made us feel, the good times, the laughs, the trouble, the adventures will never be forgotten.

“No words can make sense or put at ease the loss. Your fullness of life, one-of-a-kind personality inspired so many, made many smile when they were having a dark day, made many feel comfortable when they were uncomfortable, you brightened rooms with your infectious smile and laugh.”

The pilot, Michael James, 52, and two passengers from the second helicopter were recovering in hospital 24 hours after the crash, while three other passengers had been treated in the emergency ward on Monday and released with minor injuries.

Police said the passengers included a 27-year-old West 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.

It is understood Mr James, who was taken from the scene with an injured arm and hand, underwent surgery on Tuesday.

Andrew Stock, who flew with his family in the helicopter in the hour before the incident, said Mr James was an “amazing” pilot.

“Very professional and friendly,” he said.