Sea World Horror as Two Helicopters Collide Mid-Air Near Theme Park
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Four people have died and several people are in a critical condition after a crash involving two helicopters near Australia’s Sea World on the Gold Coast, according to reports.
Three people are in hospital fighting for their lives while police have confirmed that four people died in the crash.
The crash happened on January 2 at around 3 p.m. (AEDT). Six people are being treated for minor injuries as well, according to a 9News report.
Queensland Police Inspector Gary Worrell has said the three people that were rushed to the hospital were all from the same helicopter.
He also praised members of the public who attempted to help following the crash.
Worrell said: “One airframe has the windscreen removed and it’s landed safely on the island. 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.”
Authorities have said it is too early to say what caused the crash and an investigation has been launched.
Footage of the incident, recorded by a witness, appeared to show that one helicopter taking off as another was landing.
Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman Jayney Shearman told local media six patients suffered minor injuries, mainly as a result of glass shrapnel from the impact.
The critically injured were suffering from “multi-system trauma, meaning there was a lot of impact to the body,” she said.
“This is very traumatic, and certainly our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of all those involved. 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,” she added.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the crash.
In a statement, the ATSB said: “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.
“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.”
Newsweek has contacted the ATSB and the Queensland Police Department for comment.
Update 1/2/23 5:36 a.m. EST: This article was updated with additional information.
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