A Gold Coast pilot who was among four people killed in a double-helicopter crash has been remembered as a “hero” as investigators begin searching for answers.
Ashley ‘Jenko’ Jenkinson was the chief pilot at Sea World Helicopters, appointed to the position in August 2019.
Shocked friends and family took to social media to remember the man described as a legend, a gentleman and “quite literally one of the nicest people I’ve ever known”.
It comes as video footage taken by witnesses — which shows the moment of fatal impact — has emerged and been published by some media outlets.
Several people have told how “heroic” Mr Jenkinson responded to a call for help during last year’s terrible floods in the NSW northern rivers and ferried food and supplies.
One local, Deanie White, shared the devastating news with the Ballina community.
“The helicopter pilot, Ash ‘Jenko’ Jenkinson, who brought emergency supplies from the skies in a Sea World helicopter to Ballina Shire flood survivors in February 2022 died today in a helicopter crash.
“If you heard my call and brought supplies to Kingsford Smith Park to be choppered out to flood survivors — Ash flew them there.
“If you received bags of food and loo paper and nappies via helicopter from Ballina, Ash brought them to you.
“He was a kind, generous man. If it wasn’t for Ash, those flights would never have happened.”
Ritchie Gregg was among the group who assisted Mr Jenkinson during the emergency deliveries.
“Today we lost a great mate and a legend… it will always be the absolute highlight of my life what we did,” Mr Gregg wrote on Mr Jenkinson’s Facebook page.
Wrote James Alexander McMillan: “Words do not describe how I feel today after losing a gentleman and legend in Ash Jenkinson.”
Thirteen people were injured – three critically – when two helicopters collided before one crashed into the Broadwater on the Gold Coast.
One chopper ended up upside down on a sandbar at the water’s edge with debris strewn around the area after the crash about 2pm on Monday near the Sea World theme park at Main Beach.
The second aircraft landed safely, but the windscreen was damaged and a number of people were injured by glass debris.
“After our initial inquiries, it appears that one has been taking off and one has been landing,” Acting Inspector Gary Worrell told reporters.
“Those two aircraft then collided, have crashed and landed on the sandbank just out from Sea World resort.
“As a result of that, four people have lost their lives today and we have three others who are critical in hospital.”
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
Ambulance supervisor Jayney Shearman said another six patients were treated mainly for glass shrapnel wounds.
“There’s a number of injuries, what we call multisystem trauma, which means there was a lot of impact to the body,” she said.
The popular Gold Coast theme park was rocked by the tragedy.
“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,” a spokesperson for Sea World Helicopters said.
“We are co-operating with all the authorities, including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Queensland Police.”
The Queensland Ambulance Service called it a “major incident”.
At least three people were airlifted to hospital in a critical condition, police said, as paramedics treated patients at the scene.
“Thirteen patients are being assessed at the scene where two helicopters have collided on #MainBeach. Please avoid the area,” the QAS reported in a social media update,
Police and Emergency Services said the crash occurred when two helicopters came into contact with each other. One of the helicopters managed to successfully land.
“There are injuries in the other helicopter with emergency services working at the scene,” Police and Emergency Services said in a statement.
Tweet from @QldPolice
Witnesses Dang Nguyen and Julie Gill told The Gold Coast Bulletin they saw “two helicopters crash into each other”, in a report confirmed by another witness.
“Two Seaworld helicopters collided. We’re just leaving Seaworld now, like many others. No one coming in, obviously,” a Twitter user wrote.
“We heard a loud noise and saw bits of debris flying. Emergency services everywhere. Praying all involved are OK,” wrote another.
Tweet from @fulovitboss
Witness Jonathon James Spagnol said the crash happened after helicopters got too close, with one’s rear rotor sawing off the other’s.
“Yea 2 choppers hit each other. Look like one went up and one was coming back in. Chopped the back off the other landed on the sand bar. Was right behind us,” he wrote on Facebook.
Julie Cannock reported a huge bang as the aircraft collided.
“Awful watching this happen live in front of us,” Ms Cannock said on social media.
“So lucky for the families and boaties on the beach under where they crashed … huge bang as they collided and the rotors flew off and then watched in slow motion as the 1st chopper crashed to the sand bar … still in shock … so sad for the families on what was supposed to be a lovely days sight seeing tour.”
Carmen Renèe Mallia wrote: “I seen it also. I was absolutely shocked. Shook me to the core. I hope everyone was ok.”
“Saw it hit something from the car and it just went straight down. Hope everyone is okay,” Billie Tunks said on Facebook.
People on jet skis and in boats rushed to help the victims at the small sand island off the theme park before paramedics and police arrived.
A LifeFlight Helicopter also circled over the scene before another was seen heading the scene just before 3pm on the Flight Tracker website.
Seaworld Drive was closed and parts of the theme park also reportedly blocked off.
A witness said one of the helicopters had been doing joy flights from SeaWorld in the hours before the accident.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was investigating the collision, chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“The ATSB asks anyone who may have seen the collision, or who witnessed the helicopters in any phase of their flights, or who may have footage of any kind, to make contact via witness@atsb.gov.au,” he said.
-with AAP
