2nd January, 2023
Four people have been confirmed dead while three others were critically injured in a crash involving two helicopters at a tourist hotspot on Australia’s Gold Coast.
According to the Queensland police, one of the helicopters was taking off while the other was landing when they collided near the Sea World theme park at Main Beach.
Another three people involved in the helicopter crash are in critical condition, the police said.
“From our initial inquiries it would appear that one has been taking off and one has been landing,” Police Service Acting Inspector Gary Worrell explained the possible cause of the helicopter crash.
The Queensland Ambulance Service said a total of 13 casualties are “being assessed at the scene” without providing details on the extent of their injuries sustaied from the helicopter crash.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will open an investigation to “examine the wreckage and map the accident site,” and is expected to release preliminary report within six to eight weeks, according to the agency’s chief commissioner, Angus Mitchell.