Gold Coast helicopter crash: WA woman caught up in horror chopper crash which killed four people

A WA woman visiting the Gold Coast was aboard one of the helicopters that crashed on Monday afternoon but which managed to land safely, Queensland Police have revealed. Four people were killed and several others remain in a critical condition after the collision between two Sea World helicopters on the Gold Coast on Monday. The crash occurred as one helicopter was landing and another was taking off near Seaworld Drive in Main Beach. At least 13 people needed treatment following the horror collision, which occurred just before 2pm, local time. In addition to the four deaths, three passengers — a woman and two young boys — were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital. One of those who died was pilot Ashley Jenkinson, who has been described by colleagues as “a legend”. Tributes have flowed for 40-year-old father Mr Jenkinson. He had been chief pilot at SeaWorld Helicopters since 2019 and was said to have worked tirelessly delivering packages to people cut off by floods last year in the Northern Rivers area of NSW. In a statement released on Tuesday morning Queensland Police confirmed the aircraft which crashed had seven occupants, including the pilot. The pilot and three passengers died at the scene, a pair travelling from the United Kingdom, including a 57-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man, and a 36-year-old New South Wales woman. The second aircraft which managed to land on the Broadwater sandbank had six occupants, including the pilot, a 52-year-old man. The passengers on that helicopter included a 27-year-old WA woman, Queensland Police said. “An appeal for witnesses, especially those who have video of the crash, and who have not yet spoken to investigators remains current,” police said on Tuesday.