Four dead and three fighting for life after two Sea World helicopters collided in the air near the theme park – as paramedics work on 13 patients in the wreckage on a sandbank
- Two helicopters collided and crashed near Sea World in the Gold Coast
- The aircraft slammed into a sandbank with only wreckage remaining
- Grave fears held for three people believed to be on board between two choppers
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Four people are dead and at least six injured after two helicopters collided near the Sea World theme park as horrified holidaymakers watched on.
Debris showered down over the Broadwater on the Gold Coast before the crippled aircraft spiralled into a sandbank about 2pm local time on Monday.
Queensland Ambulance confirmed four people were dead, three fighting for life, and another four rushed to hospital.
Three people are feared dead after two helicopters collided in mid-air near the Sea World on the Gold Coast theme park as horrified holidaymakers watched on
Photos showed at least one of the two choppers was a Sea World helicopter tour aircraft
Witnesses told Daily Mail Australia one of the helicopters was coming in to land when it clipped the rotor of the other aircraft that was taking off.
Emma Burch, another witness, had the same account of how the accident unfolded.
‘From what we saw one was taking off, the other landing. They clipped each other,’ she said.
‘Massive bang heard right through the Broadwater tourist park then the swooshing as the one that lost control hit the water and broke apart.
‘It’s just awful. Everyone is in shock.’
One of the helicopters crashed into the sandbar, leaving wreckage across the shore, and four on board died with the other three, a woman and two young boys, in critical condition.
The other helicopter managed to land on the sandbar nearby, with six people on board, some of whom suffered non-life threatening injuries.
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Queensland Ambulance said there were 13 patients total, but it was unclear how many were in the helicopters and if any others were included.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Southport Duty captain Matt Fitzpatrick said three units were dispatched to the scene.
‘There are multiple helicopters involved and we do not know the state of those who were aboard,’ he said.
Photos showed at least one of the two choppers – the one that landed without crashing – was a Sea World helicopter tour aircraft.
Witnesses expressed their shock at the mid-air collision – the last thing they expected to see on the last day of the end-of-year holidays.
‘I heard a bang and saw smoke billowing from one of the choppers. It was smoking and wobbling to the ground,’ one witness told Daily Mail Australia.
‘One person was asking whether it was part of the SeaWorld show.’
Emergency services rushed to the wreckage hoping to find survivors, but grave fears are held for all those on board – believed to be three in total
A distraught woman and child were seen at the helipad while part of the theme park was shut down so patrons couldn’t look out at the crash site.
Others said watching the accident unfold was ‘beyond horrible’.
‘My daughter saw them. People on both. Landed on the sand not in SeaWorld thank goodness. Just praying for all,’ one said.
‘We heard a loud noise and saw bits of debris flying,’ another wrote online.
More to come.
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