Ronnie Ronalde, the group operations manager for CPG Hotel Group, describes the "horrible" crash with the bride and groom on board. Video / George Heard
The couple involved in a helicopter crash on their wedding day had previously delayed the ceremony due to the devastating mosque terror attacks and again after Covid-19.
The couple have been named by friends as Fay El Hanafy and Mahdi Zougub, who have close links to the Al Noor Mosque, in Christchurch.
El Hanafy had surgery yesterday after suffering a broken back, foot, and legs. Zougub has a broken back and is due to undergo surgery today.
Neither was at the mosque at the time of the 2019 shooting, but both lost close friends in attacks.
The Robinson helicopter that crashed at Terrace Downs in Canterbury on Saturday afternoon. Photo / George Heard
A then 22-year-old Zougub told the Herald that day that he had been on his way to the Deans Ave mosque when a friend called him to tell him about the shooting.
He was not allowed inside when he arrived.
Wasseim Alsati, a friend of Zougub's, told Stuff his friend had postponed his wedding day after the terror attacks and then had to delay the nuptials again because of Covid restrictions last year.
Alsati, who was among the wedding guests on Saturday and gave the groom a haircut the night before, said his friend had been working seven days a week in order to save for his big day.
Alsati described the moments after guests were told of the helicopter crash, which happened just after 3pm.
Photographer Rachel Jordan was injured in a helicopter crash in Canterbury on Saturday. Photo / Givealittle
"They were just in shock. Didn't know what to do, didn't know what to say," he told Stuff.
It is understood friends and family have already started talking about fundraising efforts to help put on a wedding for the couple once they are recovered and out of hospital.
CPG Hotels operations manager Ronnie Ronalde said they've reached out to the couple's family but also want to give them some space so they can recover.
He said they would like to pay for a return visit when they're healthy again.
The chopper was removed from the site on Sunday afternoon.
As well as the newlyweds, the pilot and a wedding photographer on board were also injured in the crash. They were all taken to Christchurch Hospital.
"She also has five fractured ribs, lung laceration, fractured sternum, fractured arm in a few places, fractured feet.
"Rach has been able to move her legs, but is having trouble with her feet and cannot move them. But that could change as swelling around her spinal cord goes down," it reads.
"She can, however, feel people touching her feet - which is good."
Jordan's husband, Eric Jordan, told Stuff his wife had a fear of flying, but did so for love of her job as a photographer.
He had since spoken to his wife via video calls and revealed what she said about what happened moments before the crash.
"She just said that the helicopter lost power and that it's possible the rotor caught a tree."
