The survivors of a deadly mid-air collision involving two helicopters have heaped reward on their “hero” pilot for touchdown their stricken plane safely, as dramatic new photographs present them being rescued from the crash.
Pictures present Marie and Edward Swart and Elmarie and Riaan Steenberg, two {couples} from New Zealand, being evacuated from the grounded plane following the crash on Australia’s Gold Coast on January 2.
Four individuals, together with a British couple and a pilot, had been killed within the crash when the 2 helicopters collided whereas within the air.
The 4 individuals who died had been collectively in one of many helicopters, containing seven individuals, which crashed on to a seashore.
The second helicopter, containing six individuals together with the Swarts and the Steenbergs, was landed upright by pilot Michael James regardless of it struggling vital harm within the collision.
Five of these within the second helicopter suffered minor accidents, whereas the sixth was unhurt.
In a joint assertion, the Swarts and Steenbergs paid tribute to their pilot.
They mentioned: “Our pilot, Michael James. You are our hero. You landed the helicopter safely and kept the bystanders and us safe.
“We are eternally grateful to you.”
The 4 survivors additionally thanked emergency service personnel, bystanders who ran to assist and employees at a neighborhood resort who additionally got here to their support following the crash.
They additionally paid tribute to those that had died within the collision, saying: “We want to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the injured, deceased and their families.
“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss.
“This has been traumatic for us as survivors, and we cannot imagine the terrible sadness their families and loved ones must be feeling.”
Read extra:
British couple killed in helicopter crash named
Father speaks out as son, 10, fights for his life
A British couple had been named among the many 4 killed within the crash, which happened close to to Sea World within the state of Queensland.
Holidaymakers Diane and Ron Hughes, 57 and 65, had been from Liverpool and married in 2021.
Mr and Mrs Hughes had been on the helicopter with seven individuals on board.
The 40-year-old pilot, Ashley Jenkinson, who lived within the Gold Coast space however was initially from Birmingham, and a 36-year-old lady, additionally died.
A ten-year-old boy is in a crucial situation, whereas a 33-year-old lady and a nine-year-old boy are severely injured.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell mentioned the incident was a “tragic start to the new year”.
He defined that the primary rotors of the helicopter taking off collided with the touchdown helicopter round 200m within the air, inflicting appreciable harm to the entrance part.
During the method, the rotor blade and gearbox indifferent from the primary physique of the plane.
Mr Mitchell instructed reporters: “We are very fortunate that we’re not standing here with far more deaths.”
Sea World Helicopters, a separate firm from the theme park, expressed its condolences, saying it was “devastated” and was cooperating within the investigation.
Source: information.sky.com”