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Australia helicopter mid-air collision: Four dead over Gold Coast


Four people have been killed after two helicopters collided in mid-air near SeaWorld on Australia's Gold Coast.


Queensland Police said initial investigations indicated the crash occurred when one plane was taking off and the other was landing.


The deceased was on the same helicopter.

Three other passengers are in critical condition.



Five of the six occupants of the other plane that landed suffered minor injuries.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the country was shocked by the "terrible and tragic incident".


"My thoughts are with all those affected, including first responders, and my deepest sympathies are with those who are grieving," he said.


The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the collision, which happened around 2:00pm local time (04:00GMT).


The two planes landed near a tourist strip called Main Beach, about 75 kilometers (47 miles) south of Brisbane.


Gary Worrell of the Queensland Police Service said: "It's a difficult scene, Due to the area it's located, on the sand bank, it was difficult to gain access, to get our emergency services to the scene to manage it appropriately."


Photos from the scene showed debris strewn across the area, with a damaged helicopter appearing to hang upside down across from the SeaWorld resort.


Another helicopter, emblazoned with the popular Ocean Park logo, appears to have made an emergency landing after the collision.


Mr Worrell said members of the public and police tried to disembark passengers and administer first aid to the injured.


According to SeaWorld's website, the park offers scenic helicopter flights for visitors, as well as other charter flights.


Seaworld Drive, the main access road to Ocean Park, has been closed by local police.


ATSB Chief Inspector Angus Mitchell asked witnesses who saw the crash or the helicopter in flight to contact investigators.


He added that a preliminary report would be released in the next six to eight weeks, with a final report to be released when the investigation was completed.


Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called the incident an "unthinkable tragedy" and said her "deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident".


The Gold Coast region is currently in peak tourist season and the kids are on summer holidays.

-BBC


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