A Cheshire businessman and his wife have been named as victims of a helicopter crash on the Gold Coast of Australia yesterday (Monday, January 2). Ron and Diane Hughes, 65 and 57, were among the victims of the crash which claimed the lives of four people in Queensland.
Ron Hughes co-founded Concept Interiors on Neston High Street in 1986, with the couple believed to have lived on the Wirral. As family and friends begin to come to terms with their tragic loss, details have started to come out about the crash.
Police in Queensland said it happened at around 2pm with "initial investigations" showing that it occurred when one helicopter was taking off and one was landing near Sea World Drive in Main Beach. One of the helicopters was able to land successfully on a sandbank.
READ MORE: Cheshire rail services brought to grinding halt as first of two 48-hour strikes begin
Four of those on the helicopter which crashed were killed, with a further three people critically injured. Five of the six passengers on the helicopter which managed to safely land suffered minor injuries.
A public Facebook post shared by Diane's brother said: "The family will make a statement when we are ready. For those who don't know my sister and her husband where involved in the helicopter crash on the Gold Coast yesterday. We would also like to thank you all for the love and support we have received.
"We are truly humbled at this heart breaking time."
Police said the other victims included the 40-year-old pilot and a 36-year-old woman from the neighbouring state of New South Wales. The force's forensic crash unit is investigating the incident with help from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
The pilot has been named locally as 40-year-old Ash Jenkinson. He was reported to have died at the scene alongside three passengers, Ron and Diane Hughes and Vanessa Tadros, 36, from New South Wales. Local reports also say that those taken to hospital in a critical condition were Ms Tadros' son Nicholas, 10, along with Winnie De Silva, 33, and her son Leon, nine.
A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson has said: "We are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities."
ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said it was a “remarkable achievement” there were not more deaths.
He said: “The second helicopter coming in to land has remarkably managed to land upright, and considering the damage that was done to the front left-hand section of that helicopter where the pilot was sitting, that’s a remarkable achievement.
“Whilst it has been very tragic that four people have lost their lives and many families are in mourning, we could have had a far worse situation.”
Mr Mitchell said the “evidence collection phase” of the ATSB’s investigation would take about six to eight weeks.
He added: “A final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation, however, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”
Sea World Helicopters, the helicopter company involved, said it would be closed “until further notice”.
A placeholder message on the company’s website said: “Sea World Helicopters is devastated by the tragic accident which happened on the Gold Coast on the 2nd January.
“Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to all those involved over this very sad time. We are closed until further notice and will refund all tickets purchased.”
Earlier, Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said his thoughts were with those affected by the incident.
“Australia is shocked by the news of the terrible and tragic helicopter incident today on the Gold Coast,” he said in a tweet.
“My thoughts are with all those affected, including first responders, and my deepest sympathies are with those who are grieving.”
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted that it was an “unthinkable tragedy”.
She said: “My deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident.”
NEWSLETTER: Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here
READ NEXT:
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoZXNoaXJlLWxpdmUuY28udWsvbmV3cy9jaGVzdGVyLWNoZXNoaXJlLW5ld3MvY2hlc2hpcmUtYnVzaW5lc3NtYW4td2lmZS1raWxsZWQtaGVsaWNvcHRlci0yNTg4MTM3N9IBAA?oc=5
2023-01-03 08:43:50Z
1724005126
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar