Two Helicopters Collised Near Tourist Areas: Four People Died, Transportation Safety Authority Holds Investigation

A helicopter crash in Australia. (Twitter/@TRTWorldNow)

JAKARTA - Collisions in the air between two helicopters in Australia have killed four people and three others are in critical condition, authorities said Monday.

The collision occurred at around 14.00 local time near the popular tourist route Main Beach, Gold Coast, south of Brisbane.

"The two helicopters, when they collided, crashed and landed on the edge of sand not far from the Sea World Resort," Queensland Police Inspector Gary Winrell, regional guard officer for the southeast, told reporters.

He added that emergency services are difficult to access sandbars located not far from the beach.

Meanwhile, Jayney Shearman of Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said thirteen people were on the two helicopters.

Of these, four people died, three serious injuries and six minor injuries, including injuries from broken glass.

"All those injured have been taken to the hospital," he said.

Photos from the site showed debris lying in a plot of sand, with personnel gathering on land and many ships in the surrounding waters.

Winrell said, although it was too early to determine the exact cause of the crash, preliminary investigations showed one helicopter was taking off and the other landed when the two collided.

One helicopter was released and landed safely on the island. The other (helicopter) crashed and capsized," he said.

He added that after the accident, the nearest police and community members rushed to the scene, trying to move and provide first aid to the people inside the helicopter.

Separately, Angus Mitchell, Head Commissioner of the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB), said in a statement an investigation had been carried out into the collision.

Investigators from the ATSB offices in Brisbane and Canberra will be deployed to the scene to gather evidence, examine ruins and map locations, as well as interview witnesses and parties involved, Mitchell added.

He asked people who witnessed the crash or saw helicopters on the flight to contact investigators. The preliminary report will come in the next six to eight weeks, with the final report after the investigation is complete, he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement posted on Twitter, Queensland Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed "the deepest sympathizers" to the families of the victims and all those affected.

"What happened on the Gold Coast today is an unforgettable tragedy," he said.

As a result of the incident, police said Sea World Drive had been closed to traffic and appealed to motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area.

Sea World Drive is the main point of access to marine parks popular with tourists at the heart of the Gold Coast. It is the peak tourist season in the region, with schools off during a long summer vacation.

What has happened on the Gold Coast today is an unthinkable tragedy. My deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident.

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 2, 2023