Gold Coast helicopter crash: The SeaWorld helicopter pilot became a father last year as tributes poured in

Tributes for the ‘Top Gun’ pilot, who was killed in Monday’s horror helicopter crash and became a father just last year, have arrived – as a devastated pal reveals the final text he sent him before the tragedy Has.

Ash Jenkinson, 40, originally from Birmingham in the UK, was among four people killed when the SeaWorld EC130 helicopter he was flying collided with another EC130 helicopter in mid-air before plummeting 30 meters on Monday a sandbar in the Gold Coast Broadwater collapsed.

Three others, believed to be a woman and two children, were seriously injured in the accident and are fighting for their lives in hospital.

SeaWorld helicopter chief pilot Ash

SeaWorld helicopter chief pilot Ash “Jenko” Jenkinson, 40, died in the helicopter crash

The shattered wreckage of the helicopter is lifted off the sandbar

The shattered wreckage of the helicopter is lifted off the sandbar

He welcomed his first child, a son, Kaiden, with his wife Kosha in September last year.

Ritchie Gregg, one of Jenkinson’s closest friends, has paid tribute to the dead pilot, saying he’s “a top guy, a top gun and the best dad” and his 17-month-old son Kaiden “would probably ask where dad is.” is”, right now.

Gregg said he texted Jenkinson when he heard from another of her friends via social media that there had been a crash and asked, “I hope it wasn’t you?”.

‘I heard it at ten past two. So I sent the message and waited for an answer.

“When he and Kosha had their son (in September 2021) he was the most excited dad. (Kosha) is very quiet, she’s in shock Kaiden…would probably ask where Dad is.

“They only got married in October,” he explained.

“Ash had the biggest heart and was the happiest guy. When he was done flying he would come home immediately to see his boy.

One of Jenkinson's closest friends, Ritchie Gregg, texted Ash after learning about the tragedy on social media

One of Jenkinson’s closest friends, Ritchie Gregg, texted Ash after learning about the tragedy on social media

“Family was his biggest thing,” he said.

Another close friend, Andy Taylor, said he caught the terrible news with everyone else on social media.

“I saw it pop up in a post on social media,” Mr Taylor told Sunrise.

“I tried to call Ash right away. First the phone was dead then went to voicemail.

He described Mr Jenkinson as “a big bloke with a big heart” who helped out at the height of the NSW Northern Rivers flood crisis last year.

“He’s done a lot of charity work, we got through the Ballina floods and saved a lot of people,” Mr Taylor told Sunrise on Tuesday.

The pilot transported food, water and other essential supplies to flood survivors who were cut off from their communities for days.

“He’s the best of the best. I don’t know what else to say.”

Mr. Jenkinson was chief pilot at Sea World Helicopters and “loved” his job, according to Mr. Taylor, who spent a lot of time with him in the air.

“He was so good at what he did. He was on point, I don’t understand what happened,” Mr Taylor said.

“It was his life. It was everything for him.

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“I don’t think he had any other hobbies. That’s it. That was all for him.”

“He was above all a family man. He loved his family, loved his baby,” Taylor said.

“His family was certainly first. Helicopter 2. But they were the two passions of his life.”

An eyewitness to the tragedy has described the dramatic moment that may have saved a boy’s life when he was unable to breathe immediately after the accident.

Gold Coast resident Travis Slatter was close to the scene when he witnessed members of the public and SeaWorld employees scrambling to help possible survivors, including a “lady who put a tube down the boy’s throat, to make him breathe”.

Mr Slatter said the horrific scene struck the boy after hearing him moan after the tube was inserted. It was a relief that there was a sign of life, I hope he pulls through but then has to deal with what happened.’

He also described the heroism of the surviving pilot in the crash, who friends told Daily Mail Australia is a few years older than Ash Jenkinson, who was in his late 30s.

Mr Slatter credits the second pilot with “saving many lives today” after watching his colleague Ash Jenkinson’s helicopter crash to the ground.

“To see him first hand and how cut up he was and for a second it looked like he was going to fall out of the sky too but managed to put it down is crazy,” Mr Slatter posted on Facebook.

Mr. Slatter also watched as members of the public and then SeaWorld employees and finally paramedics took over, describing the exploits of “a girl in black swimmers, three men and a legend in a party pontoon” carrying the survivors with a man “outside the torso” helped…dig under your back to get in” and another guy “pours water on all the fuel” and “people are trying CPR”.

“It was messy but everyone put it together until the pundits took over and gave everyone their best chance,” Mr Slatter said. “Thoughts go out to everyone involved today.

“Everyone tried to even hold sheets and towels over people.”

Family and friends on Facebook remembered Jenkinson as “maverick,” “friendly,” “true gentleman,” and “top guy” by his friends and family.

“There was nobody like you, mate. Unique! My heart breaks for Kosha and your little boy. Rest in peace Janko. Condolences to all family and friends,” one wrote.

The two helicopters seconds before impact. Image: 9 NEWS

The two helicopters seconds before impact. Image: 9 NEWS

Ritchie Gregg, pictured second left, with Ash Jenkinson, left, and two other buddies on their flood rescue trip to Ballina and Korokai in north NSW last year

Ritchie Gregg, pictured second left, with Ash Jenkinson, left, and two other buddies on their flood rescue trip to Ballina and Korokai in north NSW last year

Another said: “Asche our hearts are broken and our prayers are with your family. Love you so much brother.’

“For once in my life I struggle with words. I’ve had the privilege of working with Ash for six months in 2021,” commented a third.

“An amazing pilot. Always so kind, helpful and supportive. A real gentleman and always willing to help.”

Another added: “Yesterday we lost a best mate, a son, a brother, a father and a partner.”

“So many of us have been blessed to have you in our lives.”

“You were so big, strong and proud, you were an amazing dude!”

The three other passengers on that helicopter, a woman and two boys, were hospitalized in critical condition. Two were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.

Mr Jenkinson was a hero during the 2022 Northern Rivers flood crisis. Image: Included

Mr Jenkinson was a hero during the 2022 Northern Rivers flood crisis. Image: Included

The third, a primary school-age child, was taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane by RACQ LifeFlight rescue helicopter.

As of Tuesday, this child is in critical condition at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Two of the people who died in the crash were British nationals.

Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are recovering the remains of the wrecked aircraft after the tide rose Tuesday morning.

It also investigates how the tragedy could have happened.

The Traffic Safety Office is investigating whether a communication error, system malfunction or other error caused the two helicopters to collide.

The regional duty officer confirmed reports that one helicopter appeared to be taking off while the other was landing as the two crashed into each other.

Footage of the incident recorded by a witness appeared to support this.

Aviation safety experts told Daily Mail Australia that a helicopter already in the air should normally give way to a plane taking off.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11592931/Gold-Coast-chopper-crash-SeaWorld-helicopter-pilot-father-year-tributes-flow-in.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 Gold Coast helicopter crash: The SeaWorld helicopter pilot became a father last year as tributes poured in

Emma Colton

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