UPDATE: A court in Brisbane has just revealed harrowing footage of the moment two Sea World helicopters collided over the Gold Coast in January 2023. The inquest into this tragic incident, which claimed the lives of pilot Ash Jenkinson and three others, has officially begun, raising urgent questions about aviation safety.
The footage, shown in court today, captures the final moments before the crash, highlighting the shocking reality faced by passengers. Ron and Diane Hughes, a British couple, along with Vanessa Tadros, a Sydney mother, tragically lost their lives. In a heartbreaking twist, Nicholas Tadros, Vanessa’s 10-year-old son, survived after weeks in intensive care. Several others, including Winnie de Silva and her son Leon from Victoria, sustained injuries and are expected to provide testimony during the inquest.
The investigation, overseen by Coroner Carol Lee, will delve into the circumstances surrounding the midair crash, focusing on safety management systems and pilot training adequacy. Critical findings from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) indicate that the collision could have been avoided if existing technical issues had been addressed.
Witnesses report that one helicopter’s inbound taxiing call failed to register with the other aircraft, leading to a catastrophic lack of awareness. The court displayed footage showing a passenger desperately tapping pilot Michael James on the shoulder moments before the collision. Despite his valiant efforts to regain control, James, who passed away from cancer last year, could not avert disaster.
The footage starkly illustrates the moments leading up to impact, with one helicopter visibly approaching the other. In the chaos, the ATSB noted that inadequate seatbelt use contributed to injuries, raising further concerns about passenger safety protocols.
During the opening statements, counsel assisting Ian Harvey expressed profound shock at how two highly experienced pilots failed to see each other before the crash. He emphasized the critical question of why such a situation occurred, especially in one of the country’s busiest air corridors.
Harvey highlighted the pressure surrounding the introduction of new helicopters to the Sea World fleet ahead of Christmas 2022, questioning whether safety considerations were compromised. The ATSB’s report also noted that Jenkinson had low levels of cocaine in his system, although officials stated this was unlikely to have impaired his flying abilities.
This inquest, which is expected to last two weeks, will hear from around 30 witnesses, including surviving passengers and Sea World employees. As loved ones gather in the Coroners Court, the emotional impact of this tragedy resonates deeply, with families still grappling with the aftermath of that fateful day.
With the inquest now underway, the aviation community and the public are closely watching for developments in this critical safety investigation. The fallout from this incident continues to shock and challenge perceptions of air travel safety in Australia.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this inquest unfolds.
