New details emerge of Sea World helicopter crash as survivors break down in tears
New details emerge about the SeaWorld helicopter crash as traumatised survivors break down in tears revealing how they are still picking pieces of glass and carbon fibre out of their bodies
- Helicopter victims recall horror details
- Four people died in the Gold Coast crash
- Victims are still finding glass in their bodies
Survivors of the twin Sea World helicopter disaster have revealed they are still picking pieces of shattered glass and carbon fibre out of their bodies weeks after the horror tragedy.
Two couples – Elmarie Steenberg and husband Riaan, and Edward and Marle Swart – were four of nine passengers who survived the tragic crash on the Gold Coast on January 2.
Speaking to 60 Minutes on Sunday night, an emotional Ms Steenberg said she knew they were ‘in serious trouble’ when she noticed the second chopper approaching from below.
While mesmerized with the view, she heard over the helicopter radio “On your left. On your left,” and turned her head thinking ‘it was something beautiful’.
‘I saw the helicopter underneath me, and I knew we were in serious trouble and I actually said: “Please, God, help us.” And then I heard the explosion,’ she said.
The rotor blades of the accessing Eurocopter EC130s had smashed through the cockpit of their chopper showering them with shrapnel as horrified onlookers at the theme park below watched on in disbelief.
Elmarie Steenberg (right) closed her eyes before the fatal impact of the two choppers colliding
Ms Steenberg and Ms Swart (pictured in hospital after the crash) are still finding shards of glass and carbon fibre in their bodies one month later
Ms Steenberg said she had closed her eyes when the aircrafts collided, and when she opened them she saw her friend Marle had ‘blood running from her’.
‘When I saw the sea under us I was like, “Oh, we are going to die today”, she said.
Ms Steenberg said at one point she thought she was never going to see her beloved grandson again.
Ms Steenberg and Ms Swart said they were still discovering pieces of shattered glass and carbon fibres lodged in their bodies a month on from the crash.
‘That makes [me] feel sad,’ she said.
‘I just want it out of my body because it reminds [me] of the day.’
Ms Steenberg pictured recovering in hospital after the helicopter crash
Four people died when one of the helicopters plunged into a sandbank after its main rotor detached
They four from Auckland, had been holidaying on the Gold Coast in the lead up to the crash.
Miraculously, the helicopter they were in managed to regain control and landed with all passengers surviving.
But Four people died when the other helicopter which plunged into a sandbank.
Vanessa Tadros, 36, British newlyweds Ron Hughes, 65, and wife Diane, 57, and chief pilot Ash Jenkinson, 40 were all killed instantly when the aircraft burst into flames.
Three other passengers on board were rushed to hospital in serious conditions: Vanessa’s son Nicholas Tadros, 10, Winnie De Silva, 33, and her son, Leon, 9.
Nicholas Tadros (pictured) , 10, miraculously woke from his coma for more than a week after being placed on life support Gold Coast University Hospital
Vanessa Tadros was killed instantly when one of the helicopters plummeted into a sandbar
Leon de Silva (pictured), 9, was placed on life support in hospital after the collision of the two helicopters
Nicholas Tadros miraculously woke from a coma after more than a week of being on life support at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Leon de Silva was also placed on life support and his mother suffered broken bones. The both remain in hospital.
Mr and Mrs Hughes, from Merseyside, married in August 2021 and had been on holiday in Australia visiting Mr Hughes’ daughter Jane Manns and his grandchildren.
The surviving couples believed pilot Michael James was a hero for making the emergency landing, which he managed to do while keeping the aircraft upright despite being cut with shrapnel.
Sea World pilot Michael James (right) has attracted praised for making an emergency despite being cut with shrapnel when the cockpit imploded in on him in the crash
When asked if he had saved their lives, Ms Steenberg replied: ‘I think so’.
The Sea World pilot had been working for the theme park for about a year before the the tragedy struck, leaving him bloodied and wounded.
Mr James, 52, had attracted the recognition of passengers for his flying skills and knowledge as a tour guide in a series of five-star reviews.
The collision occurred just 20 seconds after the lower aircraft took off when it was about 250ft off the ground.
Witnesses said they saw a cloud of broken glass and debris explode as the two aircraft slammed into each other in mid-air.
Newly weds Ron and Diane Hughes were two of four people killed in when one helicopter crashed into a sandbar
Pilot Ash Jenkinson was killed when the helicopter he was flying collided with another over the Broadwater
Sea World Helicopters issued a statement hours after the crash.
‘Sea World Helicopters (SWH) has expressed its shock and deepest sympathy for those involved in the Sea World helicopter accident on the Gold Coast, Broadwater at Southport this afternoon,’ a spokesperson said.
‘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.
Police on the scene following the collision of the two Eurocopter EC130s on the Gold Coast
Police divers pictured searching the area following the Gold Coast helicopter crash
‘We are cooperating with all the authorities including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Queensland Police. As it is now a police investigation we cannot provide any further information at this stage.’
Queensland Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are examining the crash but a final verdict on what caused it isn’t expected until 2024.
The operator of both helicopters, Sea World Helicopters – which is not owned by the theme park– has suspended flights while investigations take place.