Sea World helicopter crash survivors break their silence on how 'fun joy ride' quickly became a nightmare
Topics: Australia, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Edward and Marle Swart / Facebook / 7News
Topics: Australia, World News
Some of the helicopter passengers who survived the Gold Coast Sea World crash have now spoken out.
On Monday (2 January), two Sea World tourist flight helicopters - a separate company from the famous theme park - collided mid-air on Australia's Gold Coast resulting in four people dying and three being left in critical condition.
Elmarie and Riaan Steenberg, and Edward and Marle Swart were all onboard one of the helicopters when the crash occurred.
The four Auckland residents were in the aircraft which was able to be landed safely - a total of five passengers inside the aircraft saved.
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The New Zealand couples have since opened up about the collision.
In a joint statement, as quoted in 7News, the Steenbergs and Swarts said: "A fun five-minute joy ride on vacation to Australia turned into a nightmare.
"We are grateful and blessed to have been spared but very sad for the people who lost loved ones and the little ones and mum fighting for their lives in hospital. Our hearts are so heavy for them.
"Our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the injured and the deceased and their families.
"We will share more when we are ready; however as we are coming to grips with what has happened and the resultant impact on our lives we ask that our need for privacy be respected at this time."
Ms Steenberg later confirmed on Facebook she had been injured from the crash, but was recovering well in hospital.
"I am still in hospital in the Gold Coast recovering from my injuries," she wrote. "All I can say [is] thank you to God for sparing all of us. Thank you for all of your messages. I will reply in due course.. love you all."
The four who passed away - pilot Ash Jenkinson, British couple Ron and Diane Hughes and Vanessa Tadros from Sydney - and three who were left critically injured in the collision were flying in the other helicopter which was closeby to the New Zealand couples.
The three passengers left in critical condition from the flight have been named as mother Winnie de Silva, her son, Leon and Tadros' son Nicholas.
Nine-year-old Leon has since woken from his coma and is reported as being in stable condition.
The collision is now being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
As reported by The Guardian, chief commissioner Angus Mitchell 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."
A Sea World Helicopters spokesperson told Sky News: "We and the entire flying community are devastated by what has happened and our sincere condolences go to all those involved and especially the loved ones and family of the deceased.
"We are cooperating with all the authorities including the ATSB and the Queensland police. As it is now a police investigation we cannot provide any further information at this stage."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677