Melbourne: The four people killed in a collision between two helicopters over the waterfront at a popular tourist destination in Australia have been identified as being the pilot, two British tourists, and a Sydney woman.

The low death toll in the crash of two Sea World Helicopters aircraft, according to authorities, is fortunate. Despite the fact that the second helicopter was damaged in the collision on Monday afternoon near Main Beach on Australia's Gold Coast, the pilot was still able to make a safe landing on a sandy outcrop.

According to Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell, whose office is looking into the crash, "that has been a remarkable achievement considering the damage that was done to the front left-hand section of the helicopter, where the pilot was sitting."

Also Read: Talks on nuclear management with the US are in progress in South Korea

We could have had a much worse situation here, so even though it has been tragic that four people have died and many people are in mourning this morning, the fact that one helicopter managed to land has been quite remarkable.

Ashley Jenkinson, the pilot who passed away, had been a chief pilot at Sea World Helicopters since 2019. Friends praised his mentoring and the help he gave during the devastating floods that hit the New South Wales town of Ballina last year. According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, he turned 40 in September and became a father.

Less than 20 seconds had passed when his helicopter collided with the second Sea World helicopter that was making an attempt to land. According to Mitchell, the helicopter's front cockpit was struck by the main rotor blade of the approaching aircraft. Helicopter's main rotor and gearbox separated as a result of that, he said, "which tragically meant that it had no lift and had fallen heavily to the ground." A rising tide made it more challenging for investigators to gather evidence from the crash site, but they are still there. According to Mitchell, the goal of the investigation was to determine what was happening in the "cockpits at the time" of the collision.

Also Read:  Marcos Jr. of the Philippines travels to China amid maritime disputes

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declared that it is helping the family of the 57-year-old British woman and 65-year-old British man who died while on vacation in Queensland, Australia. A 36-year-old woman from the Sydney suburb of Glenmore Park was the other passenger to pass away. A 10-year-old boy from Glenmore Park who is in critical condition, a 33-year-old woman from Geelong who is in critical condition, and a 9-year-old boy from Victoria State whose condition was stable are the three passengers from the flight who are still in hospitals. Two couples from New Zealand in their 40s and a Western Australian woman in her 27s were among the passengers of the helicopter that made a safe landing. The five passengers were doused in glass and three are still in the hospital.

When the crash happened near the Sea World marine park, during Australia's busiest summer vacation season, vacationers and water enthusiasts rushed to help emergency service personnel.

Public members who jumped to the aid of those in the helicopters were applauded by authorities.

"Our thoughts do go out to all who were affected here," Mitchell said. "Not only to those on the helicopter and their extended families, but also to those who were on the broadwater yesterday and have witnessed the confronting scenes of those helicopters coming down.

Sea World Helicopters' owner, Village Roadshow Theme Parks, issued a statement in which it acknowledged the tragedy and expressed its "deepest condolences to those impacted."

Also Read:  Recalling both the grace and the turbulence of Benedict's papacy

Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, also expressed his "deepest condolences to those who are grieving."

He posted on social media that "Australia is shocked by the news of the terrible and tragic helicopter incident... on the Gold Coast."