Four dead in mid-air copter crash over Gold Coast, Australia
At least four people have been killed and twelve others seriously injured following a fata mid-air collision between two helicopters near Seaworld on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Among those injured, nine passengers were treated and discharged but three others; a woman and two young boys are still hospitalised in critical condition.
The matter is under investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to establish the cause of the unprecedented collision.
According to authorities, the accident occurred around 14:00 local time (04:00 GMT) along a tourist strip known as Main Beach, about 75km (47 miles) south of Brisbane.
According to media reports, Gary Worrell of Queensland police told reporters that one helicopter appeared to be taking off as the other one was landing.
He said the four deaths and three serious injuries had all occurred in the same aircraft.
“It’s a difficult scene,” he said. “Due to the area it’s located, on the sand bank, it was difficult to gain access, to get our emergency services to the scene to manage it appropriately.”
Images from the crash site show debris strewn around the area and a mangled helicopter apparently lying upside down opposite the Seaworld resort.
The other helicopter has the popular marine park’s logo emblazoned on its side, and appears to have safely landed after the collision.
Seaworld Drive, the main access road to the marine park, has been closed off to traffic by local police.
They urged motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area as first responders inspect the scene.
Investigators from the ATSB’s offices in Brisbane and Canberra are being deployed to the scene to gather evidence, examine the wreckage and interview witnesses.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell has also asked eyewitnesses who saw the collision or the helicopters in flight to contact investigators.
A preliminary report will be made public in the next six to eight weeks, with a final report to follow once the investigation is complete, he added.
The Gold Coast region is currently in its peak tourist season with children on their summer breaks.
