Two days into the new year, we’ve already lost four lives in a helicopter crash on the Gold Coast near the iconic Sea World. The Brisbane Times reports that the two Sea World choppers involved in the crash were in midair at the time, with one trying to land and the other attempting to take off. Horrified onlookers rushed to free passengers from the wreckage.
Queensland’s Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, issued a statement calling the situation “An Unthinkable Tragedy.” Eyewitness accounts will be vital in the report to the coroner. This is the second tragedy to hit the sunshine state in a couple of months. A siege took place in mid-December which saw six people, two young police officers, a civilian, and three perpetrators killed during what was meant to be a missing persons report in part with an inquiry made to New South Wales police for Nathaniel Train.
Sea World Helicopters (SWH) has issued a media statement concerning the Gold Coast Helicopter crash. A spokesperson says:
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.
Statement from Sea World Helicopters
The SWH will cooperate with the authorities, including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), to piece together what caused the crash. There is currently no other information as it is now an active police investigation.
