Australia helicopter crash victim's son, 10, fights for life after injuries

04 January 2023 , 10:15

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Fatal victim Vanessa Tadros and her 10-year-old son Nicholas

A dad who witnessed the helicopter crash that killed his wife has asked for people to pray for his son - who is fighting for his life in hospital.

Simon Tadros watched as two Sea World helicopters smashed into each other over a sandbank on Australia's Gold Coast - kiling four people, including his 36-year-old wife Vanessa.

Among the other fatal victims were Ron and Diane Hughes, a newlywed couple from the Wirral, and Ash Jenkinson, a British pilot who had recently started a family Down Under.

Mr Tadros's son Nicholas, 10, survived the crash but was left in critical condition in hospital, where his dad has been holding a bedside vigil.

Another two passengers, mother Winnie De Silva, 33, and her nine-year-old son, are also in hospital.

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Vanessa's husband Simon saw the horrors unfold

In a Facebook post, Mr Tadros said: "I ask everyone to pray for the little man. He is on life support in a critical condition."

"May God pull him back with me and make a good recovery."

Rochelle Fajloun, a family friend, set up a GoFundMe to support Mr Tadros - which has already raised AUS$15,000 (£8,500).

The page described Ms Tadros as a "much-loved and highly respected mother", adding that friends and relatives were praying for a "miracle".

British married couple, 57 and 65, who died in a helicopter crash when two choppers collided on Australia's Gold Coast

"We are praying for a miracle that our Nicky... can be brought back to his grief-stricken father Simon," Ms Fajloun said.

On his business page, Mr Tadros confirmed his "beautiful wife and mother to my son" had tragically been killed in the crash.

Investigators have been trying to piece together what happened in the two cockpits.

The most severe injuries and deaths happened in a helicopter that was taking off. It collided with a chopper that had come back into land after spending less than 20 seconds in the air.

Ash Jenkinson, pictured here with his wife, was described by heartbroken friends as a "top gun" (Facebook)

Fatal victims Mr and Mrs Hughes had travelled to the country's stunning Gold Coast for a trip of a lifetime to visit Ron's daughter, Jane Manns, her husband Ben Manns, and their children, local media reports.

“Our family is heartbroken and we are still trying to contact friends and family to let them know,” Jane and Ben Manns said in a statement to Australian media.

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“Please respect our privacy at this devastating time.”

One helicopter appeared to have been taking off and the other landing when they crashed (DAVE HUNT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Diane's brother wrote on Facebook : “We would also like to thank you all for the love and support we have received. We are truly humbled at this heartbreaking time."

Relatives are expected to touch down in Australia over the next few days.

An FCDO spokesperson earlier said: "We are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities."

Ron and Diane Hughes, from Merseyside, were married in August, 2021, and were holidaying in Australia, reported 7NEWS.

Emergency responders work at the scene of the crash on the Gold Coast (Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Ron, a businessman from Cheshire, co-founded Concept Interiors on Neston High Street in 1986, with the couple believed to have lived on the Wirral.

Devastated friends and family paid tribute to Mr Jenkinson, who was the chief pilot for Sea World Helicopters, which operates tours for the theme park. He leaves behind a wife and young son.

One person wrote: "You started as a work colleague and quickly became a mate. A huge tragedy! You are definitely going to be missed you absolute legend of a bloke."

Ryan Fahey