MELBOURNE: Two helicopters collided at an Australian tourist hotspot on Monday afternoon, killing four passengers and seriously injuring three others in a crash that drew emergency help from beachgoers enjoying the water during the austral summer.
One helicopter seemed to have taken off and the other landed when they collided near the Sea World theme park at Main Beach, a beach in the north of the Golden Coast, Gary WorrelQueensland State Police Acting Inspector, said at a press conference.
One helicopter landed safely on a sandbar, but debris from the other spilled into an area described by police as difficult to access.
The dead and the three most seriously injured were all passengers in the crashed helicopter.
“Members of the public and police tried to move people away and they started first aid and tried to get these people to safety from an upside down cell,” Worrell said.
“(People on) jet skis, family boaters, ordinary members of the public rushed to help these people.”
The passengers of the other helicopter, which lost its windshield in the accident, are also receiving medical assistance.
Australian Transport Safety Board Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said an investigation into the cause of the crash was underway.
Queensland Ambulance Service said earlier that 13 people were being evaluated for injuries.
The Gold Coast region is busiest in January, the peak time for summer holidays in Australia.
One helicopter seemed to have taken off and the other landed when they collided near the Sea World theme park at Main Beach, a beach in the north of the Golden Coast, Gary WorrelQueensland State Police Acting Inspector, said at a press conference.
One helicopter landed safely on a sandbar, but debris from the other spilled into an area described by police as difficult to access.
The dead and the three most seriously injured were all passengers in the crashed helicopter.
“Members of the public and police tried to move people away and they started first aid and tried to get these people to safety from an upside down cell,” Worrell said.
“(People on) jet skis, family boaters, ordinary members of the public rushed to help these people.”
The passengers of the other helicopter, which lost its windshield in the accident, are also receiving medical assistance.
Australian Transport Safety Board Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said an investigation into the cause of the crash was underway.
Queensland Ambulance Service said earlier that 13 people were being evaluated for injuries.
The Gold Coast region is busiest in January, the peak time for summer holidays in Australia.
