Two British citizens are among four killed in a horror helicopter crash in Australia.
Three other people were critically injured in the mid-air collision between two helicopters, which happened near to a Sea World theme park on the country's Gold Coast.
One helicopter appeared to have been taking off and the other landing when they crashed, said Gary Worrell, Queensland state police acting inspector.
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Those who died are reported to have been in the same helicopter, and two of them were UK citizens, the Foreign Office said this evening.
An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities."
Footage of the crash showed a helicopter shortly after take-off being clipped by another aircraft flying over the water, the Mirror reports.
One helicopter landed safely on a sandbank, but debris from the other was spread across an area which police described as difficult to access.
"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," Mr Worrell said.
"(People on) Jet Skis, family boaters, ordinary members of the public rushed to assist these people."
Passengers in the other helicopter, which lost its windscreen in the crash, were also receiving medical assistance.
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.
A witness named John told Melbourne radio station 3AW that patrons at Sea World heard the crash, and staff moved swiftly to close off areas closest to the crash.
"There was a massive, massive bang," he said. "It was just huge.
"I'm not sure if it was the propellers or whatever hitting against each other. But there was this poor lady and her son near the helipad in tears."
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.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said an investigation into the cause of the crash was underway.
Queensland Ambulance Service said earlier that 13 people were being assessed for injuries.
The Gold Coast region is at its busiest in January, the peak time for holidays in Australia's summer.
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