Emergency services in Queensland at the scene where two helicopters collided and crashed near Sea World. Photo / News Media Network
Emergency services in Queensland at the scene where two helicopters collided and crashed near Sea World. Photo / News Media Network
Four people have been killed and several others are in a critical condition following a collision between two helicopters near Sea World on the Gold Coast.
At least 13 people needed treatment following the collision, which occurred just before 2pm, local time. In addition to the four deaths, three passengers - a woman and two young boys - were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.
Speaking at a press conference, Queensland Police South Eastern Regional Duty Officer Gary Worrell confirmed the four deaths, adding that another three people remained critical in hospital.
“At about 2pm today, police and emergency services were called to a two-helicopter midair collision just opposite Sea World in the Broadwater,” he said.
“Those two aircraft have crashed and landed on the sandbank just out from Sea World resort.
“Police and emergency services and members of the public attended the incident. Those people were confronted with a significant incident and, as a result of that incident, four people have lost their lives today, and we have three others critical in hospital.
“The investigation is ongoing, there will be a report by police for the coroner, and also the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is leading an investigation.”
Multiple crews at the scene assessing at least 13 patients. Photo / 9 News
Worrell stressed police officers’ appreciation for members of the public who helped at the scene of the crash.
“It’s a difficult scene. Due to the area it’s located, on the sand bank, it was difficult to gain access, to get our emergency services to the scene to manage it appropriately. So I’d like to thank all those who attended to make that possible,” he said.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the tragic incident. Acting Inspector Worrell said the investigation was at a “very early” stage.
“It only happened a few hours ago, and we’ve just managed to have all the critically injured patients taken to hospital,” he said.
“It would appear that one helicopter has been taking off and the other has been landing. The inquiries will obviously identify how the incident has occurred.”
He said he understood the seven people who either died or suffered critical injuries were all from the same helicopter.
“One air frame has had the windscreen removed, and it’s landed safely on the island. The other air frame has crashed, and it was upside down,” he explained.
“Members of the public and the police tried to remove the people, and commenced first aid and tried to get those people to safety.”
Emergency services in Queensland at the helicopter crash site near Sea World. Photo / News Media Network
He again stressed at the ATSB’s inquiry would confirm the details of the incident.
Images show both of the helicopters involved lying on the sand bar, having suffered serious damage, with emergency workers swarming around them. At least one aircraft bears the words “Sea World Helicopters”.
Three more passengers, a woman and two young boys, are in a critical condition and have been taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.
The pilot of the other helicopter, who was carrying five passengers, managed to land on a sandbank in the middle of the Broadwater, preventing any further deaths.
Update: 4 dead, 3 critical, 13 patients in total after 2 helicopters have collided mid air near Sea world on the Gold Coast. Full details tonight 6pm @7NewsBrisbane
A representative from the Queensland Ambulance Service, Jayney Shearman, told reporters the service had deployed “all available resources” to deal with the incident, including critical care paramedics and two medical helicopters.
“In the initial stages, there were 13 people that were identified on those two helicopters, there were three critical patients that were treated, and six lighter injuries,” she confirmed.
Those lighter injuries were mainly caused by glass shrapnel.
“This is very traumatic, and certainly our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of all those involved,” she said.
“Access to the sand bar was actually very well coordinated, there was a lot of assistance from our allied services. So they were able to ferry our officers across.”
“I was just walking my son and some Sea World staff were running outside. Didn’t really know what had happened but there was a massive bang,” John told 3AW.
“They’ve closed that side of the park now so people can’t look out the side into the water. Pretty scary stuff.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has started a safety investigation into the incident.
“People on both (helicopters). Landed on the sand not in Sea World thank goodness. Just praying for all. Hope this is not a tragedy.”
“We heard a loud noise and saw bits of debris flying,” another person wrote.
A Sea World visitor told 7 News they’d seen one of the aircraft “in a tailspin with the cockpit windows falling away after impact”.
A man inside Sea World at the time of the apparent crash with his young son described hearing “a massive bang”.
“I was just walking my son and some Sea World staff were running outside. Didn’t really know what had happened but there was a massive bang,” John told 3AW.
“They’ve closed that side of the park now so people can’t look out the side into the water. Pretty scary stuff.”
The ATSB has already started its safety investigation into the incident.
“During the evidence gathering phase of the investigation, ATSB investigators will examine the wreckage and map the accident site,” the bureau said.
“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.”
