Two helicopters collided in an Australian tourist hotspot Monday afternoon, killing four passengers and critically injuring three others in a crash that drew emergency aid from beachgoers enjoying the water during the southern summer.
\nOne helicopter appeared to have been taking off and the other landing when they collided near the Sea World theme park in Main Beach, a northern beach on the Gold Coast, Gary Worrell, Queensland state police acting inspector, said at a news conference.
\nOne helicopter landed safely on a sandbank, but debris from the other was spread across an area police described as difficult to access.
\nThe dead and three most seriously injured people were all passengers in the crashed helicopter.
\n\u201cMembers of the public and police tried to remove the people and they commenced first aid and tried to get those people to safety from an airframe that was upside down,\u201d Worrell said.
\n\u201c(People on) Jet Skis, family boaters, ordinary members of the public rushed to assist these people.\u201d
\nPassengers in the other helicopter, which lost its windscreen in the crash, are also receiving medical assistance.
\nFootage of the crash showed a helicopter shortly after takeoff being clipped by another helicopter flying over the water.
\nA witness named John told Melbourne radio station 3AW that patrons at Sea World heard the crash.
\nHe said staff at the theme park moved swiftly to close off areas closest to the crash.
\n\u201cThere was a massive, massive bang,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was just huge. I\u2019m not sure if it was the propellers or whatever hitting against each other. But there was this poor lady and her son near the helipad in tears.\u201d
\nQueensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the accident was an \u201cunthinkable tragedy.
\n\u201cMy deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident,\u201d she said.
\nAustralian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said an investigation into the cause of the crash was underway.
\nQueensland Ambulance Service said earlier that 13 people were being assessed for injuries.
\nThe Gold Coast region is at its busiest in January, the peak time for holidays in Australia’s summer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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