One Of Four People Killed In Horrific Helicopter Crash Identified As Sea World Chief Pilot

One of the people who died in the midair helicopter crash near the Gold Coast on Monday afternoon has been identified as Sea World’s chief pilot. Per AAP, Ashley Jenkinson

The Guardian SBS Gary Worrell

[Image: 9News]

Worrell said it was a “difficult scene” for emergency services to access and thanked members of the public who desperately tried to free injured passengers from the wreckage.

#Update – Thirteen patients are being assessed at the scene were two helicopters have collided on #MainBeach. Please avoid the area.

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 2, 2023

Brisbane Times Jayney Shearman Anthony Albanese

Australia is shocked by the news of the terrible and tragic helicopter incident today on the Gold Coast.

My thoughts are with all those affected, including first responders, and my deepest sympathies are with those who are grieving.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 2, 2023

Annastacia Palaszczuk 

What has happened on the Gold Coast today is an unthinkable tragedy. My deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident.

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 2, 2023

“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,” they said, per the ABC.

“We are cooperating with all the authorities including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Queensland Police. As it is now a police investigation we cannot provide any further information at this stage.”

Va Tuala The Guardian

“It just spiralled out of control and we saw it basically crashing down, and we saw the debris from the crash.

“The other helicopter managed to land safely and everyone basically just stopped … we were all just looking at what had happened.

“It seemed like something out of a movie. When the other helicopter had landed we saw passengers or maybe the pilot running towards the helicopter that had crashed and a whole bunch of people just running towards it.”

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was one of the four people killed when the chopper they were flying plunged upside down into a sandbank just off the beach at Broadwater. reports two British people were confirmed to have died in the crash. A spokesperson from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said they are supporting the families of the victims and are working with local authorities. Three other passengers from the helicopter are in critical condition in hospital. The second chopper crash-landed safely on the sandbank but five of the people onboard suffered wounds from glass shards when the windscreen shattered. Jenkinson has been remembered as an “absolute legend” who taught many novice pilots during his career. His Sea World Helicopters colleagues said he was a “true gentleman” who was always willing to lend a hand. He also assisted with emergency relief efforts in NSW’s Northern Rivers last year as well as other natural disasters, per . Queensland Police Service Acting Inspector told reporters that initial police inquiries indicated one helicopter was taking off and the other was landing. “Members of the public and police tried to remove the people and they commenced first aid to try and get those people to safety out of the airframe that was upside down,” he said. Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed the incident occurred at 1.59pm local time and 13 patients were assessed at the scene. Per the , ambulance supervisor  said a number of passengers suffered “multi-system trauma … which means there was a lot of impact to the body”. One patient was airlifted to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane and eight others were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital. Prime Minister  said the country was “shocked by the news of the terrible and tragic helicopter incident”. Queensland Premier extended her sympathies to those affected by the “unthinkable tragedy”. A spokesperson for Sea World Helicopters said the company was “devastated” by the incident. Witness  told she heard a “sudden, loud bang” which “sounded almost like a loud thunderstorm”. “As we turned towards the noise, we just saw both helicopters in the air and one had basically been hit by the other,” she said. The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau announced on Monday afternoon it was investigating the incident and asked witnesses to come forward.