At least four people are dead, and three others critically injured after two helicopters collided on Australia’s Gold Coast near a Sea World theme park Monday afternoon.
According to international media, the crash happened just before 2pm local time (3pm AEDT) at the Broadwater near popular theme park Seaworld.
One of the helicopters managed to successfully land but three occupants of the other helicopter are believed to have died. The remaining two occupants are in a critical condition.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed it has commenced an investigation into the incident.
“Transport safety investigators with experience in helicopter operations, maintenance and survivability engineering are deploying from the ATSB’s Brisbane and Canberra offices and are expected to begin arriving at the accident site from Monday afternoon,” the ATSB said in a statement.
As per international media reports, the Queensland police said the crash drew emergency aid from beachgoers who had been enjoying the water during the southern summer. Police official Gary Worrell said people on Jet Skis, family boaters and others rushed to help.
