Name: Inquest begins into fatal SeaWorld helicopter crash on Gold Coast
Uploaded: 2025-11-24T06:16:38.633Z
Duration: 2 min 1 s
Description: A coronial inquest has opened into the SeaWorld helicopter collision that killed four people and injured several others. The hearing will investigate safety risks, communication failures, and how the mid-air crash occurred despite experienced pilots and modern aircraft.

A coronial inquest has opened into the SeaWorld helicopter collision that killed four people and injured several others. The hearing will investigate safety risks, communication failures, and how the mid-air crash occurred despite experienced pilots and modern aircraft.

Gold Coast

The inquest into the SeaWorld helicopter crash on the Gold Coast has begun, with footage shown of the mid-air collision that killed four people and injured several others. The incident involved two helicopters colliding above the Broadwater, resulting in one crashing onto a sandbar.

A report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau identified multiple risk failures, including faulty radio equipment and flawed safety systems, as contributing factors. The inquest will hear from at least 30 witnesses, including aviation experts and pilots, to determine how the tragedy occurred despite the experience of those involved.

Inquest begins into fatal SeaWorld helicopter crash on Gold Coast

It was a perfect January day on the Gold Coast until an almost unthinkable tragedy played out above the Broadwater in front of hundreds of witnesses. Day one of the inquest shown the shocking moment two helicopters collide mid-air, pilot Ashley Jenkinson taking off right into the path of colleague Michael James. HEAVY MOTORCYCLE ENGINE RUMBLES Seconds later, the helicopter plunges onto a sandbar. Chief Pilot Ashley Jenkinson, newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadrosse lose their lives. Vanessa's son Nicholas, severely injured, so too Winnie De Silva and son Leon. HEAVY MOTORCYCLE ENGINE RUMBLES Pilot Michael James managed to safely land on the sandbar, saving his five passengers. The inquest follows a 200-page report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which found a series of compounding risk failures, including faulty radio equipment and flawed safety systems, had contributed to the catastrophic crash. Council Assisting Ian Harvey telling the court, the videos show the inescapable conclusion neither pilot saw the other pilot. Adding the inquest will examine how the tragedy could have occurred with two highly experienced pilots flying modern and sophisticated helicopters. Coroner Carol Lee reassuring family members, including widower Simon Tadrosse, it'll be at the forefront of these proceedings that four lives have been lost. Over the next 10 days, the inquest will hear from at least 30 witnesses, including aviation experts, as well as former and current SeaWorld helicopter pilots. One key witness the inquest won't be hearing from is pilot Michael James, who passed away following a cancer battle in June last year. Brendan Smith, 10 News.

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