A mid-air collision between two helicopters in Australia has left at least four people dead and three others in critical condition, authorities said Monday. Six other people were being treated for minor injuries, according to local news outlet Nine News Gold Coast.
The collision happened around 2pm local time on the Gold Coast, near the Sea World water park, south of Brisbane.
Television images show the rotors of a plane lying on a sandbar a few meters from the shore. The other helicopter appeared practically intact at the crash site.
“This is a business associated with Sea World with an operator within a very large corporate circle,” Neil Hansford, president of Strategic Aviation Solutions, told Sky News Australia.
After the accident, a rescue helicopter landed on the sand, while dozens of rescuers spread out on the ground. Several police and rescue boats were ready to intervene near the shoal covered in debris from the two helicopters.
Australia’s Transport Safety Board announced the opening of an investigation into the crash, which was billed as a “mid-air collision”. Investigators at the site were expected to examine the remains, map the site and recover investigative material, the office said in a statement.
Source: BFM TV
