Survivors of the Sea World helicopter disaster have broken down in tears as they recall the terrifying details of the crash – and reveal they are still finding glass and carbon fibres in their bodies one month later.
Two couples – Elmarie Steenberg and husband Riaan, and Edward and Marle Swart – were four of nine passengers who survived the tragic crash on the Gold Coast on January 2.
The four broke down in tears on Sunday as they revealed shocking new details and relived the heartbreaking moments where they feared for their lives.
Elmarie Steenberg (right) closed her eyes before the fatal impact of the two choppers colliding
Ms Steenberg and Ms Swart (pictured in hospital after the crash) are still finding shards of glass and carbon fibre in their bodies one month later
Speaking to 60 Minutes on Sunday night, Ms Steenberg recalled the terrifying moment she saw the other helicopter beneath theirs and knew they were ‘in serious trouble.’
‘I said “Please, God, help us”, and then I heard the explosion,’ she said.
Ms Steenberg said she had closed her eyes when the aircrafts collided, and when she opened them she saw her friend Marle had ‘blood running from her’.
‘When I saw the sea under us I was like, “Oh, we are going to die today”,’ she said.
Ms Steenberg pictured recovering in hospital after the helicopter crash
Four people died when one of the helicopters plunged into a sandbank after its main rotor detached
Ms Steenberg said she had panicked at the thought of never seeing her grandson again.
Ms Steenberg and Ms Swart said they were still discovering pieces of shattered glass and carbon fibres lodged in their bodies a month on from the crash.
‘That makes [me] feel sad,’ she said.
‘I just want it out of my body because it reminds [me] of the day.’
Ms Steenberg gave an emotional recollection of the events of the January 2 helicopter crash
They four had been holidaying on the Gold Coast from their home in Auckland when the two Eurocopter EC130s collided over the theme park about 2pm.
The helicopter they were in managed to regain control and landed with all passengers surviving, some having suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Four people died when the other helicopter plunged into a sandbank after its main rotor detached: Vanessa Tadros, 36, British newlyweds Ron Hughes, 65, and wife Diane, 57, and chief pilot Ash Jenkinson, 40.
Three other passengers were rushed to hospital in serious conditions: Vanessa’s son Nicholas Tadros, 10, Winnie De Silva, 33, and her son, Leon, 9.
Nicholas Tadros (pictured) , 10, miraculously woke from his coma for more than a week after being placed on life support Gold Coast University Hospital
Vanessa Tadros was killed instantly when one of the helicopters plummeted into a sandbar
Nicholas Tadros miraculously woke from a coma after more than a week of being on life support at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Leon de Silva was also placed on life support and his mother suffered broken bones. The both remain in hospital.
Mr and Mrs Hughes, from Merseyside, married in August 2021 and had been on holiday in Australia visiting Mr Hughes’ daughter Jane Manns and his grandchildren.
Leon de Silva (pictured), 9, was placed on life support in hospital after the collision of the two helicopters
The collision occurred just 20 seconds after the lower aircraft took off and the two Eurocopter EC130s collided around 250ft off the ground.
As the first chopper gained altitude, it smashed into the second, which appeared to be descending.
The churning rotors of the first helicopter ripped into the cabin of the second one, shattering its glass cockpit just centimetres from the pilot and passengers inside.
Witnesses said they saw a cloud of broken glass and debris explode as the two aircraft slammed into each other in mid-air.
Newly weds Ron and Diane Hughes were two of four people killed in when one helicopter crashed into a sandbar
Pilot Ash Jenkinson was killed when the helicopter he was flying collided with another over the Broadwater
Sea World Helicopters issued a statement hours after the crash.
‘Sea World Helicopters (SWH) has expressed its shock and deepest sympathy for those involved in the Sea World helicopter accident on the Gold Coast, Broadwater at Southport this afternoon,’ a spokesperson said.
‘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.
Police on the scene following the collision of the two Eurocopter EC130s on the Gold Coast
Police divers pictured searching the area following the Gold Coast helicopter crash
‘We are cooperating with all the authorities including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Queensland Police. As it is now a police investigation we cannot provide any further information at this stage.’
Queensland Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are examining the crash but a final verdict on what caused it isn’t expected until 2024.
The operator of both helicopters, Sea World Helicopters – which is not owned by the theme park– has suspended flights while investigations take place.
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