Sea World helicopter owner breaks his silence

The owner of the company involved in the mid-air collision that killed four people on the Gold Coast has broken his silence.

Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ash Jenkinson, 40, was killed when his helicopter was struck by another helicopter landing over the waters of Queensland’s Gold Coast around 2pm Monday.

The father of a child and the British newlyweds Ron (65) and Diane Hughes (57) and mother Vanessa Tadros (36) from Sydney died in the horror crash.

Vanessa’s son Nicholas Tadros, 10, and mother and son Winnie and Leon de Silva, 9, were also on board the helicopter and were left with serious injuries.

The other helicopter landed safely, but the windshield was damaged. Terrifying footage from the helicopter shows a passenger attempting to warn the pilot of the oncoming plane just before the collision.

In an emotional statement on Thursday, Sea World Helicopters’ John Orr-Campbell described Mr Jenkinson as a “first class pilot and first class man”.

Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ash Jenkinson, 40, (pictured) was killed when his helicopter was struck by another helicopter landing over the waters of Queensland’s Gold Coast around 2pm Monday

The helicopters collided on the Southport Broadwater around 2 p.m. Monday

“I knew Ash personally for nine years. He was a fine man and an outstanding pilot with 6,210 flight hours to his name,” wrote Mr. Orr-Campbell.

“Losing a man and pilot of Ash’s caliber is shocking in every sense of the word. I’m gutted to the core along with everyone at Sea World Helicopters. My heart aches when I think of Ash’s fiancee, Kosha, and his one-year-old son, Kayden.

“I also want to commend the other pilot, Michael James, who heroically got the second plane on the ground safely. We wish him all the best in his recovery.’

Mr Orr-Campbell revealed that the veteran pilot obtained his commercial pilot license in June 2008 and flew helicopters in Western Australia until 2011.

“During this time, Ash showed his love and commitment to the community – he was involved in several search and rescue flights in the area,” he said.

“That sense of community has resulted in him spending over 700 hours and many days away from family and friends to help with firefighting operations across Australia.”

Mr Jenkinson is survived by his fiancee Kosha (pictured right) and one-year-old son Kayden

In 2019, Mr. Jenkinson became Chief Pilot of Sea World Helicopters, overseeing all aspects of safety and flight operations for the company.

“We have lost a first class pilot, a first class husband and a wonderful father, partner and friend,” wrote Orr-Campbell.

“RIP Ash, you will always be in our hearts.”

Dozens of the pilot’s loved ones have flooded his personal Facebook page with messages of love and support in the days following his death.

“We’ve often spoken about his job, a job he absolutely loved, which not only involved driving for tourists, but also that he was fighting the fierce bushfires and helping flood victims a few years ago,” one person said.

“I know the fun, positive, adventurous spirit of the legend you are will live on in the lives of everyone you knew,” wrote another.

“Ash was the kindest and most selfless person who ever walked the earth. The love he had for his beautiful family and friends was certainly unique and extended to everyone who would cross his path,” one woman wrote.

A GoFundMe has raised more than $12,000 of its $15,000 goal to donate $5,000 to each of the families affected by the crash.

Organizer Ritchie Gregg said Mr Jenkinson came to the aid of communities on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers during the flood crisis.

“This year he has put his heart into flood relief efforts in northern New South Wales, where he has spent countless hours caring for and rescuing those in need who otherwise would never have received help,” he wrote.

“He also worked hard during the Australian bushfires, doing numerous animal rescues. He is our hero and has a big heart.”

It comes as chilling footage showing the moment a passenger tried to warn pilot Michael James that the other helicopter was on a collision course with the plane.

Pointing wildly out the window, he gives the pilot an insistent pat on the shoulder before gripping the seat in front of him tightly as he prepares for impact.

Moments later, the helicopter cabin explodes in a shower of shattered glass and metal as the other helicopter’s rotor blades slice through the cockpit.

The pilot and passengers are hit by shards of deadly debris, but amazingly, Mr James manages to maintain control of the badly damaged plane and land nearby.