Two in four Britons killed in Australian helicopter crash near Sea World theme park | Latest news

Two Britons were among four killed after two helicopters collided mid-air near a marine theme park in the Australian state of Queensland.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting the families of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with local authorities.”

The collision happened on the Gold Coast around 2pm local time, when the park was believed to be packed with families enjoying the summer school holidays.

Early information suggested one of the helicopters was taking off and the other was landing when they collided, Queensland Police Acting Inspector Gary Worrell said.

Members of the public were among the first on the scene, with a sandbar making it difficult for rescuers to reach the crash site.

“Members of the public and the police tried to move people away and they started first aid and tried to get these people to safety,” Inspector Worrell said.

Janey Shearman of the Queensland Ambulance Service said 13 people were on board the two helicopters.

The three seriously injured people suffered from “multi-system trauma”, while six people with minor injuries – mainly due to the impact of the glass – were also taken to hospital.

Sea World Helicopters, a separate company from the theme park, expressed condolences, saying it was “devastated” by what had happened and was cooperating with an investigation by authorities exploring the cause of the accident.

A statement read: “We and the entire airline community are devastated by what happened and our heartfelt condolences go out to everyone involved and in particular to the loved ones and family of the deceased.”

Rescuers remove a body from a helicopter crash scene near Seaworld, on Australia's Gold Coast, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Two helicopters collided, killing several passengers and seriously injuring a few others in a crash which attracted emergency help from bathers enjoying the water during the austral summer.  (Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP)
This image made from video shows a sandbar with a crashed helicopter on the Gold Coast, Australia, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Two helicopters collided over the Australian beach on Monday afternoon.  (Australian Broadcasting Corp. via AP)

A witness by the name of John described to Melbourne radio station 3AW that there was a ‘massive, massive bang’ and theme party staff moved quickly to shut down areas closest to the accident.

“It was just huge. I don’t know if it was the propellers or anything that was bumping into each other. But there was this poor lady and her son by the helipad in tears.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the crash was an “unthinkable tragedy”.

She said: “My deepest condolences go out to each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident.”

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