A British couple was among four persons killed this week when two helicopters collided in mid-air in Australia. Around 2 p.m. local time on January 2, the incident occurred on the Gold Coast, near Sea World, in the state of Queensland. Diane and Ron Hughes, 57 and 65, were among those killed in the crash. According to reports, the Liverpool pair married in 2021.
According to preliminary findings, a helicopter taking off with seven people collided with another aircraft landing with six people. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were aboard the chopper as it took off. The pilot, 40, and a lady, 36, were both killed in the mid-air accident. The British pair was on holiday, according to Queensland Police. A 10-year-old child was critically injured in the event, as were a 33-year-old lady and a nine-year-old son. Five people had minor injuries, while a sixth person amazingly survived without any harm.
Despite significant damage to the front left portion of the helicopter, where the pilot was seated, it amazingly landed upright. Diane’s brother, Dave Boyce, allegedly said on Facebook that for those who don’t know, his sister and her husband were involved in yesterday’s helicopter disaster on the Gold Coast. They also want to express their gratitude for all of their love and support. At this difficult moment, they are extremely touched.
Video emerges from inside one of the helicopters involved in Monday’s Gold Coast crash. https://t.co/S46R0VlZrp pic.twitter.com/xbYSyL1yiO
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 4, 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his sadness over the disaster on Twitter, writing- the news of today’s dreadful and tragic helicopter accident on the Gold Coast has rocked Australia. His prayers are with all those impacted, particularly first responders, and his heartfelt condolences go out to those in mourning.
An eyewitness described a “huge, enormous blast,” and personnel at the theme park reacted quickly to seal off sections near the collision. They described the awful occurrence and how they observed it- ‘It was simply enormous. Not sure if that was the propellers or anything else colliding. But there was this sad mom and her son crying at the helipad.’
#BREAKING: Channel 9 has published video that shows the Gold Coast helicopter crash, though they’ve cut it off before the moment of impact
— Leonardo Puglisi (@Leo_Puglisi6) January 2, 2023
Families were waving to the passengers and witnessed the crash happen @6NewsAU pic.twitter.com/gkumxc3m7k
The tragedy was described as a “tragic start to the new year” by Angus Mitchell, the chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. He claimed that the main rotors of the taking-off helicopter collided with the landing helicopter about 200 meters in the air, inflicting considerable damage to the front area. During the procedure, the rotor blade and gearbox detached from the aircraft’s fuselage.
A sandbank obstructed rescue personnel’s access to the collision scene. Sea World Helicopters, a different firm from the entertainment park, expressed its heartfelt condolences, saying it was heartbroken and assisting with the inquiry. They and the whole flying community are horrified by what has occurred, and their heartfelt sympathies go out.
