There has been a mid-air collision between two helicopters on the Gold Coast in the Australian state of Queensland.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has confirmed it was a fatal incident. Queensland Police Service (QPS) has confirmed 4 people have died and 3 are in critical condition on hospital.
A new footage obtained by 7NEWS shows seconds before the mid-air crash of two. One of the Passengers is seen warning the pilot of another helicopter in the proximity.
The incident occurred at approximately 13:59 local time, at Main Beach near the Sea World theme park.
- UPDATE A pilot, two British visitors and a Sydney woman were identified as the four people killed in a collision.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said they were assessing 13 people on scene. In a later update QAS said 9 people had been transported to hospital, 8 to Gold Coast University Hospital and 1 to Queensland Children’s Hospital.
#Update – Thirteen patients are being assessed at the scene were two helicopters have collided on #MainBeach. Please avoid the area.
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 2, 2023
One of the helicopters managed to land on the beach without the windscreen. The other crashed upside down on a sandbar. QPS says police and members of the public assisted in pulling people out of the upside down airframe.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted that the incident “was an unthinkable tragedy.” Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese tweeted that the country was “shocked” by news of the incident and his thoughts are with all those affected. There are reports some family members were waving one of the helicopters off seconds before the incident.
What has happened on the Gold Coast today is an unthinkable tragedy. My deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@a_palaszczuk) January 2, 2023
A witness told The Guardian Australia that one tail rotor sheared the rear rotor off the other aircraft. QPS says that initial inquiries suggest that one aircraft was coming into land as one was taking off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ott28SkDq0I
It is peak tourist season for Gold Coast theme parks due to the summer school holidays in Australia.
A Sea World Helicopters spokesperson told media, ““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. We are cooperating with all the authorities including the ATSB and the Queensland police. As it is now a police investigation we cannot provide any further information at this stage.”
Local media are reporting one of those that died in the crash was the Chief Pilot of Sea World Helicopters.
The ATSB Chief Commissioner, Angus Mitchell, said in a statement:
“The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation into the fatal mid-air collision involving two helicopters near Seaworld on the Gold Coast, Queensland on Monday afternoon.
“Transport safety investigators with experience in helicopter operations, maintenance and survivability engineering are deploying from the ATSB’s Brisbane and Canberra offices and are expected to begin arriving at the accident site from Monday afternoon.
“During the evidence gathering phase of the investigation, ATSB investigators will examine the wreckage and map the accident site. Investigators will also recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra, gather any available recorded data for analysis, and interview witnesses and other involved parties.
“The ATSB asks anyone who may have seen the collision, or who witnessed the helicopters in any phase of their flights, or who may have footage of any kind, to make contact via [email protected] at their earliest opportunity.
“The ATSB anticipates publishing a preliminary report detailing basic information gathered during the investigation’s evidence collection phase in approximately 6-8 weeks.
“A final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation, however, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”
