CANBERRA - Four people died and eight others were injured in a midair collision of two helicopters on Monday in a tourist area in Queensland on the Gold Coast.
The incident occurred on the sunny afternoon of a public holiday near Sea World, an ocean-themed amusement park.
The area south of Brisbane is a popular vacation destination for Australians and foreign tourists.
Queensland Police said it appeared that one helicopter was taking off and another was landing when the incident occurred.
One of the two helicopters was carrying six passengers, five of whom suffered minor injuries. It successfully landed on a small sand island, police said.
The other craft crashed nearby, where it lay upside down after the incident.
Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, including the pilot, and three others were critically injured, according to a local ambulance official.
They were taken to a hospital, and an investigation is now under way with a report expected within six to eight weeks, a police spokesman said.
Immediately after the crash, the police and members of the public – some on motorised water scooters or tourist boats – rushed to help.
“They commenced first aid and tried to get those people to safety,” said Queensland state police acting inspector Gary Worrell at a news conference.
Access to the scene was complicated by the sandbank’s location, Mr Worrell added.
“I would like to thank all those who attended to and made (it) possible to get those people to emergency care like they did.”
Australia’s Transport Safety Bureau said investigators would examine the wreckage and map the site, as well as recover components for examination.
The bureau appealed to anyone who saw the helicopters in flight or had any footage to make contact.
Scenic tourist flights along the Gold Coast are a common activity for visitors.
A spokesman for Sea World Helicopters, a local tourism company whose logo could be seen on at least one of the aircraft, said the company would cooperate with the investigation into the crash.
“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,” said the company in a statement.
“As it is now a police investigation, we cannot provide any further information at this stage.” AFP, BLOOMBERG, NYTIMES
