Four people were killed and three others critically injured after two helicopters collided in Australia on Monday afternoon. The crash, which occurred in a popular tourist destination, prompted beach visitors to rush and provide emergency aid.
The collision happened just before 2 p.m. near the Sea World theme park in Main Beach, in the northern part of the Gold Coast, when one of the helicopters appeared to have been ascending while the other was landing, according to a statement made by Queensland police.
Video footage showed the crash over the water, as one of the aircraft clipped the other shortly after taking off.
While one of the helicopters managed to land safely on a nearby sandbank, debris from the other flew across a wider area that was difficult for police to access. All casualties were in the crashed helicopter, along with several of the injured passengers.
In the statement, Gary Worrell, acting police inspector for Queensland state police, said that members of the public as well as the police tried to rescue the passengers from an overturned airframe to provide first aid.
“[People on] Jet Skis, family boaters, ordinary members of the public rushed to assist these people,” he said.
The other helicopter lost its windscreen in the crash and surviving passengers were also receiving medical treatment.
Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed that 13 people were being examined for injuries.
Sea World helicopters, a company not affiliated with the theme park, issued a statement expressing condolences to those involved in the crash.
“We and the entire flying community are devastated by what has happened and our sincere condolences go to all those involved and especially the loved ones and family of the deceased,” the statement said.
The company said it is cooperating with the authorities in handling the investigation but declined to comment on whether one or both helicopters were under its operation.
According to eyewitness reports, theme park staff didn’t hesitate to close off areas adjacent to the crash.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk expressed her deepest sympathies to the families and everyone affected, calling the accident an “unthinkable tragedy.”
According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, an investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.
“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,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said in a statement.
The collision occurred at the peak of tourism season at Australia’s Gold Coast. Visitors to Main Beach have been advised not to enter the affected area, and Sea World Drive has been closed, with motorists and pedestrians being diverted to a different route.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.