Four people died on January 2 in a startling mid-air collision between two helicopters. The collision also critically injured three other people.
The crash occurred near the Sea World theme park, and over a beach resort on Australia’s Gold Coast.
According to Queensland State Police Acting Inspector Gary Worrell, one of the helicopters was taking off and the other was descending when they collided over a popular tourist attraction, shocking beach bathers.
One of the helicopters was able to land safely but the other crashed and was demolished, hurling debris across the beach and water.
The people who died, and the three critically injured, were on the helicopter that crashed. The collision took the lives of the pilot and three of its six passengers, all of whom were between the ages of 35 and 65. The injured included a 10-year-old boy in critical condition, and a nine-year-old boy in stable condition. A 33-year-old woman was also in stable condition at the time of the incident.
Worrell said that several witness assisted in the rescue and helped people get away from the wreckage of the helicopter. There were people on jet skis and boats that assisted in the rescue mission.
Two British citizens, believed to be a couple, were among the deceased.
SeaWorld Helicopters, which operates both helicopters, released a statement saying that the company was devastated by the tragedy and offered condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. They announced that they would be closed until further notice and would refund all tickets bought.
The Australian Gold Coast was having its peak tourist season, with many students on summer break.
