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Four Dead After Helicopters Collide in Australia

by Phil Mercer

   Sydney --

   Authorities in Australia say two helicopters collided over the
   waterfront at an Australian tourist hotspot, killing a pilot, two
   British visitors and a Sydney woman. A husband and wife are among the
   four people killed. Three other passengers -- a woman and her son, and
   another child -- were seriously hurt. Australian Prime Minister Anthony
   Albanese said the country had been left shocked by the "terrible and
   tragic incident."

   Crash investigators in Australia say the main rotor blades of a
   helicopter that had just taken off collided with the cockpit of another
   as it was coming into land. The blades broke off on impact, sending the
   aircraft plunging onto a sandbank. The other helicopter was able to
   make an emergency landing near the Sea World theme park, south of
   Brisbane, the Queensland state capital. A British couple, a pilot and
   an Australian woman died. The dead and injured were all onboard the
   same helicopter.

   The crash Monday is being investigated by the Australian Transport
   Safety Bureau.

   Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell explained to reporters on the Gold
   Coast Tuesday what happened when the two aircraft collided.

   "In the process of that collision, the main rotor blades and gearbox of
   the helicopter taking off had separated from the aircraft causing it to
   tragically crash down onto a sandbar. At this stage, we have got four
   people who have tragically lost their lives. Another three are in a
   very serious condition in hospital," he said.

   Mitchell has asked eyewitnesses who saw or filmed the collision or the
   helicopters in flight to contact investigators.

   The second helicopter involved in the crash was able to make an
   emergency landing on the sandbank. Authorities have praised the pilot
   for steering his craft away from Sea World, one of Australia's most
   popular theme parks.

   Beachgoers rushed to help the survivors.

   A preliminary report from the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau is
   expected in the next six to eight weeks. A final determination of what
   caused the crash could take many months.

   What started as a scenic flight over the Gold Coast -- one of
   Australia's most popular tourist destinations -- has ended in
   catastrophe.

   Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the mid-air
   collision is an "unthinkable tragedy."