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Three people were fighting for life overnight after four others were killed when two helicopters collided in mid-air on the Gold Coast near Sea World.
Members of the public tried to pull people from the wreckage after the two aircraft, both operated by Sea World Helicopters, collided about 2pm (3pm AEDT).
One of the helicopters, carrying seven people, plunged to the ground while the second, carrying six people, managed somehow to land.
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Witnesses who were waiting in a queue for their own helicopter ride filmed the tragedy, with the phone footage likely to help air crash investigators as they probe what led to the mid-air collision.
The four people killed and three rushed to hospital were all from the crashed helicopter, Queensland Police Inspector Gary Worrell said.
Of the six in the other helicopter, five were taken with minor injuries to Gold Coast University Hospital and one person was physically uninjured.
One of the victims has been named as Sea World's chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, 9News Queensland reporter Nick Kelly says.
People have taken to social media to post memories of him.
"Ash, you will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts," one friend wrote on Facebook.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted a message of condolences to the victims.
"Australia is shocked by the news of the terrible and tragic helicopter incident today on the Gold Coast," Albanese said on Twitter.
"My thoughts are with all those affected, including first responders, and my deepest sympathies are with those who are grieving."
https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1609837968587657220
Speaking about 4.30pm, Worrell said the critical patients had only just arrived at hospital.
He thanked the members of the public who tried to help straight after the crash.
"One airframe has the windscreen removed and it's landed safely on the island," Worrell said.
"The other airframe has crashed, and it was upside down.
"Members of the public and police tried to remove the people and they commenced first aid and to try and get those people to safety out of the airframe that was upside down."
'Very traumatic'
The regional duty officer said it was too early to say what caused the crash but one helicopter appeared to be taking off as the other was landing.
Footage of the incident recorded by a witness appeared to confirm that, while other footage showed wreckage strewn across a sand island close to the coast.
Worrell said the location made access difficult for emergency services and thanked the members of the public who rushed to help.
Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman Jayney Shearman said six patients suffering minor injuries, mainly glass shrapnel from the impact, were also taken to hospital.
The critically injured people were suffering from "multi-system trauma, which means that there was a lot of impact to the body".
"This is very traumatic, and certainly our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of all those involved," she said.
"Our officers, this is a very trying day for them.
"We have really great support systems and system and today we'll be holding a debrief for all of those officers involved."
Witness heard 'massive bang'
John, who didn't give a last name, told Nine radio station 4BC the crash happened "just outside the theme park".
"(I) didn't really know what happened but there was a massive bang," he said.
"And yeah, they've closed that side of the park now so people can't look out the side into the water there.
"Pretty scary stuff actually."
John said he saw a woman and her son "in tears" at the Sea World helipad.
9News weather reporter Luke Bradnam said he saw "ambulance after ambulance" rushing to the "tragic" and "unexpected" incident.
"We see so many choppers in the air here on the Gold Coast Broadwater but in my memory, I cannot remember anything like this ever occurring," he told the radio station.
Air crash experts launch investigation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the fatal crash.
"Transport safety investigators with experience in helicopter operations, maintenance and survivability engineering are deploying from the ATSB's Brisbane and Canberra offices and are expected to begin arriving at the accident site from Monday afternoon," the ATSB said in a statement.
"During the evidence-gathering phase of the investigation, ATSB investigators will examine the wreckage and map the accident site.
"Investigators will also recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB's technical facilities in Canberra, gather any available recorded data for analysis, and interview witnesses and other involved parties."
Emergency services shut Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, urging pedestrians and drivers to avoid the area.
A Sea World Helicopters spokesperson said the company was shocked by the incident.
"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 spokesperson said.
"We are cooperating with all the authorities including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Queensland Police.
"As it is now a police investigation we cannot provide any further information at this stage."
The ATSB called on anyone who saw or filmed the incident to make contact on [email protected]
Source: 9News
