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MELBOURNE, Australia — Two helicopters collided in an Australian vacationer hotspot on Monday afternoon, killing 4 passengers and critically injuring three others within the crash, which drew emergency consideration from beachgoers having fun with the water through the southern summer season.
One of many helicopters gave the impression to be taking off and the opposite was touchdown after they collided at Mine Seashore, close to the Sea World theme park on the Gold Coast’s northern seashore, Queensland State Police Superintendent Gary Worrell advised a information convention.
One of many helicopters landed safely on a sandbank, however particles from the opposite helicopter unfold over an space troublesome for police to entry.
The victims and the three most critically injured had been all passengers of the crashed helicopter.
“Members of the general public and police tried to take away individuals, they began first help and tried to get these individuals to security from the airframe, which is the other way up,” Worrell mentioned.
“(Individuals) on jet skis, household boaters, common members of the general public rushed to assist these individuals.”
The passengers of the opposite helicopter, who misplaced their windshield because of the crash, are additionally receiving medical assist.
Two wrecked helicopters sit on the sand close to Sea World on Australia’s Gold Coast, Monday, Jan. 2, on the crash web site.
Dave Hunt / AAP Picture through AP
Footage of the crash reveals the helicopter being hit by one other helicopter flying over the water shortly after takeoff.
Sea World Helicopters, a separate firm from the theme park, expressed its condolences and mentioned it was cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.
“We and the whole flying neighborhood are devastated by what has occurred and our honest condolences exit to all concerned and particularly to the family and household of the deceased,” the assertion mentioned.
The corporate didn’t affirm whether or not it operated one or each of the helicopters concerned within the crash, saying in a press release that it could not remark additional as a result of investigation.
An eyewitness named John advised Melbourne radio station 3AW that patrons at Sea World heard the crash.
He mentioned theme park officers moved rapidly to seal off the areas closest to the crash.
“There was an enormous, large explosion,” he mentioned. “It was simply enormous. I am unsure if it was the bolts or one thing else hitting one another. However this poor woman and her son had been on the helipad in tears.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk mentioned the crash was an “unimaginable tragedy”.
“My deepest condolences exit to each household and everybody affected by this horrible accident,” he mentioned.
Angus Mitchell, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Security Bureau, mentioned the reason for the accident was below investigation.
Queensland Ambulance Service mentioned earlier that 13 individuals had been being assessed for his or her accidents.
The Gold Coast area is at its busiest in January, the height of the Australian summer season holidays.
Copyright © 2023 by The Related Press. All rights reserved.
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