Investigators to release final report on Sea World helicopter tragedy
It was the peak of the holiday season and a picture perfect day on the Gold Coast.
Eleven tourists, from Australia and abroad, decided to take in the glittering coastline from above.
No-one could have foreseen the horrific moments that followed, which have now become etched in the minds of the victims’ families, the survivors, emergency crews and witnesses.
Vanessa Tadros was killed in the horror crash between two helicopters. (ABC News: Harriet Tatham)
The joy flight helicopters collided mid-air on January 2, 2023.
Four people died, six others — including two children — were seriously injured, and another three received minor injuries.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will release its final report into the deadly crash on Wednesday morning.
Diane Hughes and Ronald (Ron) Hughes died in the Sea World crash. (Facebook: Diane Hughes)
Timeline of a tragedy
The two Eurocopter EC130s were from Sea World Helicopters, a company based next to the popular theme park.
They were used to whisk visitors away on short, scenic flights above the Gold Coast Broadwater.
The choppers crashed as one was coming in to land, and the other was taking off, just before 2pm on a Monday.
Loading…
Early investigations found the tail and main rotor separated from the ascending helicopter on impact, forcing it to plummet uncontrollably onto a sand bank.
Chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, British couple Diane and Ron Hughes, and Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros were killed.
Ms Tadros’s son Nicholas, 10, and Victorian Mum Winnie De Silva and her son Leon, 9, were seriously injured.
Helicopter pilot Ash Jenkinson (left) with friend Andrew Taylor. (Supplied: Andrew Taylor)
Somehow the pilot of the returning helicopter, Michael James, managed to safely land his badly damaged helicopter on the sand.
The 53-year-old, who later died of cancer in 2024, was seriously injured, along with two of his five passengers.
Sea World staff and recreational boaties rushed to the scene, joining emergency crews to render first aid in a desperate effort to save those onboard.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will deliver its final report into the Sea World helicopter crash. (AAP: Dave Hunt)
Lives changed irrevocably
Simon Tadros had stayed behind while his wife Vanessa and son Nicholas boarded the flight.
He was among those who watched helplessly as the aircraft collided.
Ms Tadros was remembered as a “beautiful rose” by her husband, who also spent months by their son’s bedside as he underwent multiple surgeries.
Simon and Vanessa Tadros, pictured with their 10-year-old son Nicholas. (Supplied)
Diane Hughes, 75, and Ron Hughes, 65, were from Cheshire and had married in 2022.
The couple, described by their family as “fun-loving” with a “zest for life”, were visiting Australian relatives on the Gold Coast.
Mr Jenkison, who was survived by his partner and young son, was remembered as an experienced and skilful pilot who had helped delivered supplies to flood-ravaged Northern Rivers communities in 2022.
Winnie De Silva, 33, had been on holiday with her son Leon and had decided to take a scenic flight as a special treat.
Winnie De Silva and her son were badly injured, with Leon placed in an induced coma for a brain injury. (Supplied)
As they recovered in hospital, Ms De Silva’s thoughts were with the victims, describing it as an “unthinkable and difficult time for us all”.
New Zealand holidaymakers Edward and Marle Swart, and their friends Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg, were on board the helicopter piloted by Mr James, who they hailed a hero.
They survived the crash, along with a West Australian man, but Ms Steenberg and Ms Swart suffered significant wounds from glass and sharpnel, and endured a painful recovery.
Elmarie Steenberg’s legs in plasters after the helicopter crash on the Gold Coast. (Supplied)
What is expected from the final report?
A preliminary report released by the ATSB two months after the tragedy found pilot Mr James, who was coming in to land, did not hear a call over the radio by Mr Jenkinson as he was taking off.
An interim report released last year found Mr Jenkinson had traces of cocaine in his system, but it was unlikely to have affected his motor skills.
The air safety authority’s final report expected today will include the investigation’s findings, and an analysis of the evidence to support the findings.
The ATSB states that it investigates incidents to help identify any safety issues and encourage relevant safety action in order to prevent other accidents, rather than to assign blame or liability.
