The family of a British couple who died in a helicopter crash in Australia have spoken for the first time, describing their "devastating heartbreak".
Ron and Diane Hughes, 65 and 57, have been named as among the four people who lost their lives in a mid-air helicopter collision near Sea World on the Gold Coast.
The couple, from Merseyside, travelled to Australia to visit Ron's daughter, Jane Manns, and her young family in a trip of a lifetime, local media reports.
It's understood that the collision took place as one helicopter was landing and another was taking off at a tourist hotspot known as Main Beach at around 2pm on Monday.
Police in Queensland said one of the choppers managed to successfully land on a sandbank, but the other crashed with seven people on board.
“Our family is heartbroken and we are still trying to contact friends and family to let them know,” Jane and Ben Manns said in a statement to 7NEWS.
“Please respect our privacy at this devastating time.”
Ron and Diane were married in August, 2021. Diane's brother wrote on Facebook : “We would also like to thank you all for the love and support we have received. We are truly humbled at this heartbreaking time."
Ash Jenkinson has been named locally as the 40-year-old pilot that reportedly died in the crash along with three passengers, Ron and Diane, and 36-year-old Vanessa Tadros from New South Wales.
Ms Tadros' 10-year-old son Nicholas was taken to hospital in a critical condition as were Winnie De Silva, aged 33, and her nine-year-old son Leon, it is reported.
An FCDO spokesperson earlier said: "We are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities."
Friends and family paid tribute to Mr Jenkinson, who was the chief pilot for Sea World Helicopters, which operates tours for the theme park. He leaves behind a wife and young son.
One person wrote: "You started as a work colleague and quickly became a mate. A huge tragedy! You are definitely going to be missed you absolute legend of a bloke."
Another colleague said: "A man with a such golden heart, cheeky sense of humour and always such a laugh to be around."
A friend Andy Taylor told 7News.com.au “he was a big guy with a big heart”.
“He did a lot of charity work. We did floods down in Ballina with a team of us who went down and saved a lot of people. Ash was a big part of it. He led us into ground zero and helped a lot," he said.
“He loved (flying). It was his life. But above all, he was a family man. He loved his family. His family was certainly first and helicopter second. But they were two passions of his life.”
Dan Hargreaves, who was at a cafe overlooking Seaworld at the time of the crash, told the Mirror how he heard a "loud bang like a big gunshot" following the helicopter crash.
He said: "I saw the more damaged helicopter going down and hit the sand moments afterwards. It all happened in a matter of seconds, and was business as usual before that."
"Luckily no people were below the crash when it happened, as far as I could tell. Both helicopters ended up on an empty sandbank.
"There were hundreds of people on my side of the water that saw it too. Everyone was just looking on in shock unable to do anything.
"As many people that were near seemed to rush over, you could see them getting off jet skis and running over.
"Honestly it was traumatic and just devastating for the people involved."
Members of the public scrambled to the scene to try and help the causalities. Passengers in the other helicopter, which lost its windscreen in the crash, were also receiving medical assistance.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the helicopter that was taking off was in the air for less than 20 seconds.
"After the collision, it was a matter of seconds before it’s hit the ground,” he told reporters. "So it has unfolded very quickly.”
The ATSB has started an investigation into the crash and is piecing together what happened.
Sea World Helicopters, a separate company from the theme park, expressed its condolences and said it was cooperating with the authorities handling the crash investigation.
"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," the statement said.
The company did not confirm if it operated one or both helicopters involved in the crash, saying it would not comment further because of the investigation.
Sea World Helicopters, a separate company from the theme park, expressed its condolences and said it was cooperating with the authorities handling the crash investigation.
"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," the statement said.
The company did not confirm if it operated one or both helicopters involved in the crash, saying it would not comment further because of the investigation.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the accident was an "unthinkable tragedy".
"My deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident," she said.
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