Sea World crash inquest asked for delay until February by company Sea World Helicopters

The company at the centre of the Sea World Helicopters chopper crash has been denied a request to split the inquest, but did score a small win.

Sea World Helicopters has been denied a request to split an inquest into the 2023 crash tragedy to give evidence in February, but has scored another week instead.

The coronial inquest already witnessed shocking footage of the January 2, 2023 crash last week which took the lives of chief pilot Ash Jenkinson, along with passengers Ron and Diane Hughes, and Vanessa Tadros.

Michael Trim KC, acting on behalf of Sea World Helicopters CEO Brett Newman and employees at the company said they were inundated with thousands of pages of material and given no time to properly consider it.

They cited some 3700 pages of material, a new export report given a week before the inquest commenced, and 4700 pages since it started.

“It’s not just the number of pages, but in regard to the number of different times material has been received,” Mr Trim said.

Chief pilot of Sea World Helicopters, Ash 'Jenko' Jenkinson.

Vanessa Geagea Tadros was one of three passengers who died in the crash. Picture: Supplied

Pushing the hearing to February would allow them to account for the disruption the holiday period brings, the inquest heard.

Ian Harvey, counsel assisting said the delay was unnecessary, and any potential adverse findings could be dealt with and responded to as they arose.

“There’s no suggestion that any person has yet been identified as someone in respect to adverse findings or comments potentially made,” Mr Harvey said.

Coroner Carol Lee could instead delay the proceedings one week at most, returning to the Sea World Helicopter witnesses once they had more time to review the evidence, he submitted.

Patrick Hornby, acting on behalf of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, said he “assumed” a majority of the evidence referred to was the ATSB report, which had been public since April.

Mr Hornby said the safety body had been in consultation with Sea World Helicopters since the report was first published.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks underlined to the court the application was not made in its name, or on behalf of its clients.

Coroner Lee said Sea World Helicopters had been on notice of the 11 detailed issues since April 2025, given them six months to prepare, while the ATSB reports had been released in March 2023, January 2024, and April 2025.

“I’m not persuaded the lion’s share of this new information has taken Sea World Helicopters by surprise,” she said, adding they had ample time to prepare.

“There has been no adverse findings against Sea World Helicopters, or indeed any other party.”

Coroner Lee said she had to consider the interests of the families of the four deceased, given it was coming up to the third tragic anniversary.

British couple Diane and Ron Hughes were killed in the Sea World Helicopter crash.

“They have been waiting patiently for these proceedings,” she said.

“They have travelled widely to be here and have a legitimate expectation that these proceedings will conclude as planned.”

She declined the request to delay the evidence until February, but accepted a delay of one week for 12 witnesses.

That includes Sea World Helicopters CEO Mr Newman, director John Orr-Campbell, chief pilot Ben Hall, along with experts at ATSB and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Dr Jeff Brock, who the inquest heard will provide more detailed explanations following the ATSB report, is scheduled for Monday.

City of Gold Coast had given written approval for the helipads being refurbished and extended from three to five in 2018, then reassessed the decision in 2019 after community complaints.

Michael Moran, general manager, city development branch for City of Gold Coast said they came to the conclusion there was no need for a development application as the site had been used for helicopter rides since the 1970s.

As the number of helicopters, and flights, and operating times were unchanged, it was his opinion it was the same existing lawful use which it had been approved for, he said.

“An additional two pads, in of itself, was not a material change of use,” Mr Moran said, adding a change of flight paths would also not meet the bar of material change of use.

He said if the number of flights significantly changed that might trigger a material change of use.

Changes to internal safety procedures by an operator would not meet that bar, Mr Moran said.

The inquest heard it was one of the busiest air corridors for helicopter air traffic in the country.

The devastating scene of a Helicopter crash between two Sea World Helicopters. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“There’s nothing in the city of Gold Coast planning scheme that deals with air services safety,” Mr Moran said.

“In light of what has happened, perhaps that’s something that should be done.”

He suggested that could be handled by referral to another aircraft body capable of making the assessment.

“The city doesn’t have any experts in that field,” Mr Moran said.

Parking lot changes, by comparison, would be assessed by engineers, the inquest heard.

Heights of buildings near the Gold Coast airport would also be assessed under the planning scheme, Mr Moran said.

After being cross examined on whether Sea World Helicopters, or the owner of the land had spoken with council, he said he could not recall.

“We don’t give approvals to companies or individuals, but the land,” Mr Moran said.

The executive assistant of the pilot killed in the Sea World helicopter crash broke down in tears on the witness stand, telling the court he was the best manager she had ever had.

Thalia Ellem was the final witness for the first day of the second week of the coronial inquest into the deaths of chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, along with passengers Ron and Diane Hughes and Vanessa Tadros on January 2, 2023.

Ms Tadros’ son Nicholas survived the crash but lost part of his leg, and attended court with his father Simon.

Ms Ellem – since promoted to office manager at Sea World Helicopters - gave insight into the company’s safety procedures and Jenkinson’s mood on the day of the tragic crash.

She said it was a busy day, with both Mr Jenkinson and Michael James the only pilots rostered on and Ms Ellem the only person working front of house.

Mr Jenkinson brought her lunch, an example of the level of care he showed all his employees, the inquest heard.

“Ashley was one of the best managers I’ve ever met,” she said in tears before composing herself.

The devastating scene of the crash. Picture Glenn Hampson

“He was a really nice guy, really friendly. He checked on everyone that worked for us and was constantly making sure staff had everything they needed and their day went really good.”

But in a conversation she had with him moments before the crash, he seemed “a bit distracted”.

“The whole conversation with him I wasn’t getting much back from him as I would normally,” Ms Ellem said.

“He was happy in the morning but towards the afternoon not so much.”

He did not seem tired at all on the day, she said.

The company would have fatigue checklists in the mornings which all pilots completed.

The inquest heard examples of days where pilots would have their duties limited, or would not fly, if they answered no to any of the questions.

Counsel for the Tadros family Gerard Mullins KC questioned Ms Ellem on the company’s procedures, as she would take the minutes for management and safety meetings.

She said she didn’t recall if there was a push for the company’s new helicopters being used on the day to be up in the skies to help with marketing and bookings, but “there was excitement” about their arrival.

Meeting minutes showed they were to be used on social media, but she said she did not recall that.

She said the company maintained a safety risk register, but she couldn’t recall if actionable items from safety meetings would be added to that register.

Originally published as Sea World crash inquest asked for delay until February by company Sea World Helicopters