Geelong Helicopters sued in Supreme Court following harrowing Point Lonsdale crash
Two federal government officials who suffered serious injuries after a helicopter plunged into the ocean off Point Lonsdale are suing the company for damages.
Two passengers involved in a major chopper crash off the Bellarine Peninsula, including a senior executive at a federal government agency, have launched legal action against a Geelong helicopter company.
A writ filed in the Supreme Court has revealed the extent of the trauma sustained by plaintiffs Chris Rathborne, 53, and Alena Krasnopeeva, 47, on May 2 when a Robinson R44 plummeted into the ocean between Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale.
The aircraft’s pilot, Anton Westerink, was also seriously injured in the crash that resulted in a hero jogger running to the aid of the trio.
The helicopter was destroyed.
A joint multi-agency investigation, involving the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is examining the circumstances that led to the accident.
Mr Rathborne, who is the Chief Information Officer at IP Australia, and Ms Krasnopeeva, a compliance officer at the ATO, have both received significant injuries and have suffered serious financial loss as a result, according to court documents.
The latter had not returned to work at the time the documents were filed, on September 2, with three vertebrae fractures and several other back injuries, brain bleeding, broken ribs and a neck complaint.
Mr Rathborne was forced off work for 17 days with head, spinal, neck and chest injuries, and has only returned to his senior government role in a restricted “working from home” capacity, according to the statement of claim.
He also suffered hypothermia from his time spent in the water, and had developed psychiatric injuries following the accident.
The plaintiffs, being represented by legal firm Carbone Lawyers, are suing Geelong Helicopters Pty Ltd for damages under the Civil Aviation Act.
The company is owned and operated by Mr Westerink. He declined to comment.
The ATSB and CASA probe could be finalised in the coming months.
It’s understood the engine of the private charter flight failed about 40m from shore, witnessed by multiple people on the beach.
A male jogger, who waded into the swell to help pull the passengers to safety, said he witnessed the chopper crash “just off the shore.”
All three on board were flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The flight had taken off from the Barwon Heads Airport and was travelling to destinations in the Bellarine Peninsula tourist area before disaster struck.
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Originally published as Geelong Helicopters sued in Supreme Court following harrowing Point Lonsdale crash
