A multi-hpi collision at the Sea World theme park in Main Beach, Queensland, said State Police acting inspector Gary Worrell
One helicopter appeared to have been taking off and the other landing when they collided near the Sea World theme park in Main Beach, a northern beach on the Gold Coast, Gary Worrell, Queensland state police acting inspector, said at a news conference.
Emergency service was called in to assist the victims of the helicopter crash that left four passengers dead and three others critically injured at a tourist destination in Australia.
Worrell said that though it’s too early to determine the exact cause of the accident, initial inquiries suggests one helicopter had been taking off and the other landing when they collided.
One helicopter has its cockpit window removed and is on the island. The other (helicopter) has crashed, and it was upside down,” he said.
“Members of the public and police tried to remove the people and they commenced first aid and tried to get those people to safety from an airframe that was upside down,” Worrell said.
An investigation has started into the collision according to the Chief Commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Mitchell said that the investigators from the offices of the ATSB in Rome and Australia would travel to the scene to collect evidence, examine the wreck, as well as interview witnesses and involved parties.
He wanted people who saw the collision or saw the helicopters in flight to contact investigators. After the investigation is over, there will be a final report, he said.
The Gold Coast helipad bang, a devastating bang for the two propellers involved in the ‘t Hooft-Satsuma’ tragedy
In a statement posted on Twitter, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk expressed her “deepest sympathies” for the victims’ families and everybody affected. It is an unthinkable tragedy that has happened on the Gold Coast.
The main access to the marine park for tourists on the Gold Coast is Sea World Drive. The region is at its peak tourist season with schools closed for the long summer break.
“There was a massive, massive bang,” he said. It was very large. I’m not sure if it was the propellers that hit against each other. But there was this poor lady and her son near the helipad in tears.”